Symbiont-derived ?-1,3-glucanases in a social insect: mutualism beyond nutrition.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Rosengaus RB
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4240165 | biostudies-literature | 2014
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Symbiont-derived β-1,3-glucanases in a social insect: mutualism beyond nutrition.
Rosengaus Rebeca B RB Schultheis Kelley F KF Yalonetskaya Alla A Bulmer Mark S MS DuComb William S WS Benson Ryan W RW Thottam John P JP Godoy-Carter Veronica V
Frontiers in microbiology 20141121
Termites have had a long co-evolutionary history with prokaryotic and eukaryotic gut microbes. Historically, the role of these anaerobic obligate symbionts has been attributed to the nutritional welfare of the host. We provide evidence that protozoa (and/or their associated bacteria) colonizing the hindgut of the dampwood termite Zootermopsis angusticollis, synthesize multiple functional β-1,3-glucanases, enzymes known for breaking down β-1,3-glucans, the main component of fungal cell walls. The ...[more]
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