Wolbachia, A Heritable Pandemic
Created by Sarah Bordenstein, Marine Biological Laboratory
Introduction
Transmission electron micrograph of
Wolbachia within an insect cell, courtesy of Scott O'Neill under a CC-BY license. Wolbachia is a genus of inherited alpha-proteobacteria that
form intracellular infections in many invertebrate hosts. One of the most common bacterial
endosymbionts on the planet, it was first identified in 1924 and gained widespread attention of
researchers in 1971 when its role in cytoplasmic incompatibility was revealed. Cytoplasmic
incompatibility refers to a sperm-egg incompatibility in which
Wolbachia modify host sperm,
ultimately leading to embryonic mortality unless rescued by the presence of the same
Wolbachia infection in the egg. It is typically expressed in crosses between an infected
male and uninfected female, thereby reducing the fitness of uninfected females.
Wolbachia,
the ultimate reproductive parasite, has also been shown to induce parthenogenesis, selectively kill
males, influence sperm competition and stimulate host feminization. While
Wolbachia is
predominantly transmitted through females to developing eggs, it can also undergo horizontal gene
transfer in host species.
This collection of resources offers an overview of
Wolbachia biology as well as highlights a
few key topics in the field:
-
Wolbachia Evolution
- Reproductive Strategies
- Symbiosis & Host-Microbe Interactions
- Human Disease
- Speciation in Insects
- Vector Control
- Viruses/Phage: The Parasites Within
Understanding these topics will provide clues to both our past and future.
Wolbachia
research allows scientists to gain insight into evolutionary processes, from the origin of the
eukaryotic cell to current trends in insect speciation, as well as multi-layered symbiosis,
specifically that between hosts, symbionts and bacteriophage. It also offers promise in the fields
of pest control and global disease management.
Opportunities are
available for students and teachers to join in the international effort to unravel the secrets of
this heritable pandemic.
Wolbachia Collection
Learn more about
Wolbachia with
this collection of resources including informational websites, news releases, primary literature,
and educational modules.
Student Activity
Blood-engorged female Aedes
albopictus mosquito feeding on a human host. Image courtesy of CDC under Public Domain.
The Microbes Within is a WebQuest
exploring the effects of endosymbiosis on reproduction, evolution and human health.
Additional Resources
For additional resources about
Wolbachia, search the
Microbial Life collection.
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