赤拟谷盗和杂拟谷盗体内Wolbachia的感染状况和种间传播

为明确沃尔巴克氏体(Wolbachia)在赤拟谷盗和杂拟谷盗体内的感染状况及种间水平和垂直传播情况,首先通过PCR扩增分离细胞分裂蛋白基因(fts Z)目的片段方法检测这2个近缘种拟谷盗体内是否存在Wolbachia,并将同性别或异性别的赤拟谷盗和杂拟谷盗混合饲养40 d,然后测定赤拟谷盗及其与杂拟谷盗的正反交杂种后代体内Wolbachia的感染状况。结果显示,杂拟谷盗体内存在Wolbachia,而赤拟谷盗体内不存在该菌;混合饲养后,赤拟谷盗及其与杂拟谷盗的正反杂交后代体内也均没有检测到Wolbachia的存在,未发现Wolbachia在杂拟谷盗和赤拟谷盗种间的水平和垂直传播。     

Wolbachia and virus protection in insects

Wolbachia pipientis bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects that are best known for their ability to increase their prevalence in populations by manipulating host reproductive systems. However, there are examples of Wolbachia that exist in nature that seem to induce no reproductive parasitism trait and yet are able to invade populations. We demonstrate a fitness benefit for Wolbachia-infected insects that may explain this paradox. Drosophila melanogaster flies infected with Wolbachia are less susceptible to mortality induced by a range of RNA viruses. The antiviral protection associated with Wolbachia infection might be exploited in future strategies to reduce transmission of pathogens by insects.