title: Mosquito-bacteria symbiosis: the case of Anopheles gambiae and Asaia.
abstract: The symbiotic relationship between Asaia, an α-proteobacterium belonging to the family Acetobacteriaceae, and mosquitoes has been studied mainly in the Asian malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Thus, we have investigated the nature of the association between Asaia and the major Afro-tropical malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. We have isolated Asaia from different wild and laboratory reared colonies of A. gambiae, and it was detected by PCR in all the developmental stages of the mosquito and in all the specimens analyzed. Additionally, we have shown that it localizes in the midgut, salivary glands and reproductive organs. Using recombinant strains of Asaia expressing fluorescent proteins, we have demonstrated the ability of the bacterium to colonize A. gambiae mosquitoes with a pattern similar to that described for A. stephensi. Finally, fluorescent in situ hybridization on the reproductive tract of females of A. gambiae showed a concentration of Asaia at the very periphery of the eggs, suggesting that transmission of Asaia from mother to offspring is likely mediated by a mechanism of egg-smearing. We suggest that Asaia has potential for use in the paratransgenic control of malaria transmitted by A. gambiae.
authors.affiliation: Scuola di Bioscienze e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Crotti
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Aurora
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rizzi
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scuppa
authors.forename: Aida
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.forename: Ulisse
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ulissi
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Epis
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genchi
authors.forename: N'Fale
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sagnon
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.forename: Angray
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Bessem
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chouaia
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Whitehorn
authors.forename: Guelbeogo W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Moussa
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mandrioli
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bandi
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Daffonchio
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Favia
mesh_terms: D016947:Acetobacteraceae / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000852:Anopheles / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D030781:Organisms, Genetically Modified; D010053:Ovary / Q000382:microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D013559:Symbiosis; D014170:Transformation, Genetic
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S