title: Symbiont-derived β-1,3-glucanases in a social insect: mutualism beyond nutrition.
abstract: 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. These enzymes, we propose, may help in both digestion of ingested fungal hyphae and protection against invasion by fungal pathogens. This research points to an additional novel role for the mutualistic hindgut microbial consortia of termites, an association that may extend beyond lignocellulolytic activity and nitrogen fixation to include a reduction in the risks of mycosis at both the individual- and colony-levels while nesting in and feeding on microbial-rich decayed wood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Rebeca B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Rosengaus
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Kelley F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Schultheis
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Alla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yalonetskaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University Towson, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Bulmer
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: DuComb
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thottam
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Northeastern University Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Godoy-Carter
keywords: 3-glucanases; disease resistance; gut protozoa; mycosis; social immunity; termites; β-1