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Combined actions of bacteriophage-encoded genes in Wolbachia-induced male lethality.


ABSTRACT: Some Wolbachia endosymbionts induce male killing, whereby male offspring of infected females are killed during development; however, the origin and diversity of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a 76 kbp prophage region specific to male-killing Wolbachia hosted by the moth Homona magnanima. The prophage encoded a homolog of the male-killing gene oscar in Ostrinia moths and the wmk gene that induces various toxicities in Drosophila melanogaster. Upon overexpressing these genes in D. melanogaster, wmk-1 and wmk-3 killed all males and most females, whereas Hm-oscar, wmk-2, and wmk-4 had no impact on insect survival. Strikingly, co-expression of tandemly arrayed wmk-3 and wmk-4 killed 90% of males and restored 70% of females, suggesting their conjugated functions for male-specific lethality. While the male-killing gene in the native host remains unknown, our findings highlight the role of bacteriophages in male-killing evolution and differences in male-killing mechanisms among insects.

SUBMITTER: Arai H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10209535 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Some <i>Wolbachia</i> endosymbionts induce male killing, whereby male offspring of infected females are killed during development; however, the origin and diversity of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we identified a 76 kbp prophage region specific to male-killing <i>Wolbachia</i> hosted by the moth <i>Homona magnanima</i>. The prophage encoded a homolog of the male-killing gene <i>oscar</i> in <i>Ostrinia</i> moths and the <i>wmk</i> gene that induces various toxicities  ...[more]

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