Symbiotic Streptomycetes provide antibiotic combination prophylaxis for wasp offspring.
Beewolf digger wasps cultivate specific symbiotic bacteria (Streptomyces spp.) that are incorporated into the larval cocoon for protection against pathogens. We identified the molecular basis of this protective symbiosis in the natural context and demonstrate that the bacteria produce a 'cocktail' of nine antibiotic substances. The complementary action of all symbiont-produced antibiotics confers a potent antimicrobial defense for the wasp larvae that parallels the 'combination prophylaxis' known from human medicine.
Kroiss
Johannes
J
Research Group Mass Spectrometry, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
Kaltenpoth
Martin
M
Schneider
Bernd
B
Schwinger
Maria-Gabriele
MG
Hertweck
Christian
C
Maddula
Ravi Kumar
RK
Strohm
Erhard
E
Svatos
Ales
A
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013302:Streptomyces / Q000378:metabolism*; D013559:Symbiosis; D014863:Wasps / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents