Mosquito-bacteria symbiosis: the case of Anopheles gambiae and Asaia.
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.
Damiani
Claudia
C
Scuola di Bioscienze e Biotecnologie, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
Ricci
Irene
I
Crotti
Elena
E
Rossi
Paolo
P
Rizzi
Aurora
A
Scuppa
Patrizia
P
Capone
Aida
A
Ulissi
Ulisse
U
Epis
Sara
S
Genchi
Marco
M
Sagnon
N'Fale
N
Faye
Ingrid
I
Kang
Angray
A
Chouaia
Bessem
B
Whitehorn
Cheryl
C
Moussa
Guelbeogo W
GW
Mandrioli
Mauro
M
Esposito
Fulvio
F
Sacchi
Luciano
L
Bandi
Claudio
C
Daffonchio
Daniele
D
Favia
Guido
G
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
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S