Genome expansion of an obligate parthenogenesis-associated Wolbachia poses an exception to the symbiont reduction model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Theory predicts that dependency within host-endosymbiont interactions results in endosymbiont genome size reduction. Unexpectedly, the largest Wolbachia genome was found in the obligate, parthenogenesis-associated wFol. In this study, we investigate possible processes underlying this genome expansion by comparing a re-annotated wFol genome to other Wolbachia genomes. In addition, we also search for candidate genes related to parthenogenesis induction (PI).

Results

Within wFol, we found five phage WO regions representing 25.4% of the complete genome, few pseudogenized genes, and an expansion of DNA-repair genes in comparison to other Wolbachia. These signs of genome conservation were mirrored in the wFol host, the springtail F. candida, which also had an expanded D

SUBMITTER: Kampfraath AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6364476 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature