Bodo saltans (Kinetoplastida) is dependent on a novel Paracaedibacter-like endosymbiont that possesses multiple putative toxin-antitoxin systems.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial endosymbiosis has been instrumental in eukaryotic evolution, and includes both mutualistic, dependent and parasitic associations. Here we characterize an intracellular bacterium inhabiting the flagellated protist Bodo saltans (Kinetoplastida). We present a complete bacterial genome comprising a 1.39 Mb circular chromosome with 40.6% GC content. Fluorescent in situ hybridisation confirms that the endosymbiont is located adjacent to the nuclear membrane, and a detailed model of its intracellular niche is generated using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenomic analysis shows that the endosymbiont belongs to the Holosporales, most closely related to other α-proteobacterial endosymbionts of ciliates and amoebae. Comparative genomics indicates that it has a limited

SUBMITTER: Midha S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8163844 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature