Wigglesworthia
Tsetse Flies
Symbiosis
Chorismic Acid
Enterobacteriaceae
Gene expression level influences amino acid usage, but not codon usage, in the tsetse fly endosymbiont Wigglesworthia. (1/16)
Wigglesworthia glossinidia brevipalpis, the obligate bacterial endosymbiont of the tsetse fly Glossina brevipalpis, is characterized by extreme genome reduction and AT nucleotide composition bias. Here, multivariate statistical analyses are used to test the hypothesis that mutational bias and genetic drift shape synonymous codon usage and amino acid usage of Wigglesworthia. The results show that synonymous codon usage patterns vary little across the genome and do not distinguish genes of putative high and low expression levels, thus indicating a lack of translational selection. Extreme AT composition bias across the genome also drives relative amino acid usage, but predicted high-expression genes (ribosomal proteins and chaperonins) use GC-rich amino acids more frequently than do low-expression genes. The levels and configuration of amino acid differences between Wigglesworthia and Escherichia coli were compared to test the hypothesis that the relatively GC-rich amino acid profiles of high-expression genes reflect greater amino acid conservation at these loci. This hypothesis is supported by reduced levels of protein divergence at predicted high-expression Wigglesworthia genes and similar configurations of amino acid changes across expression categories. Combined, the results suggest that codon and amino acid usage in the Wigglesworthia genome reflect a strong AT mutational bias and elevated levels of genetic drift, consistent with expected effects of an endosymbiotic lifestyle and repeated population bottlenecks. However, these impacts of mutation and drift are apparently attenuated by selection on amino acid composition at high-expression genes. (+info)Metabolic interdependence of obligate intracellular bacteria and their insect hosts. (2/16)
Mutualistic associations of obligate intracellular bacteria and insects have attracted much interest in the past few years due to the evolutionary consequences for their genome structure. However, much less attention has been paid to the metabolic ramifications for these endosymbiotic microorganisms, which have to compete with but also to adapt to another metabolism--that of the host cell. This review attempts to provide insights into the complex physiological interactions and the evolution of metabolic pathways of several mutualistic bacteria of aphids, ants, and tsetse flies and their insect hosts. (+info)Analysis of milk gland structure and function in Glossina morsitans: milk protein production, symbiont populations and fecundity. (3/16)
(+info)The obligate mutualist Wigglesworthia glossinidia influences reproduction, digestion, and immunity processes of its host, the tsetse fly. (4/16)
(+info)Interactions between mutualist Wigglesworthia and tsetse peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-LB) influence trypanosome transmission. (5/16)
(+info)Nutrient provisioning facilitates homeostasis between tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae) symbionts. (6/16)
(+info)Tsetse immune system maturation requires the presence of obligate symbionts in larvae. (7/16)
(+info)Reductive evolution of bacterial genome in insect gut environment. (8/16)
(+info)I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Wigglesworthia" is not a widely recognized term in general medicine. It is, however, a genus of bacteria that resides in the gut of tsetse flies and has been studied in the field of entomology. The bacteria play a role in the nutrition and reproductive biology of their host insects. If you're looking for information related to a different medical or scientific term, please provide more context so I can give you a more accurate response.
Tsetse flies are not a medical condition but rather insects that can transmit diseases. Here is their medical relevance:
Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) are large, biting flies found primarily in tropical Africa. They are vectors for African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness in humans and Nagana in animals. The fly ingests the parasite when it takes a blood meal from an infected host, then transmits the disease to another host through its saliva during subsequent feedings. This makes tsetse flies medically relevant due to their role in spreading these diseases.
In the context of medicine and biology, symbiosis is a type of close and long-term biological interaction between two different biological organisms. Generally, one organism, called the symbiont, lives inside or on another organism, called the host. This interaction can be mutually beneficial (mutualistic), harmful to the host organism (parasitic), or have no effect on either organism (commensal).
Examples of mutualistic symbiotic relationships in humans include the bacteria that live in our gut and help us digest food, as well as the algae that live inside corals and provide them with nutrients. Parasitic symbioses, on the other hand, involve organisms like viruses or parasitic worms that live inside a host and cause harm to it.
It's worth noting that while the term "symbiosis" is often used in popular culture to refer to any close relationship between two organisms, in scientific contexts it has a more specific meaning related to long-term biological interactions.
I'm sorry for any confusion, but "Chorismic Acid" is not a recognized term in medical or clinical sciences. It appears that "chorismic acid" is a concept from biochemistry, specifically in the field of amino acid biosynthesis. It is an intermediate compound in the shikimate pathway, which is present in plants and microorganisms but not in animals.
Chorismic acid is a key branchpoint metabolite that leads to the formation of various aromatic amino acids and other important compounds. However, it's not typically mentioned in medical contexts or definitions. If you're looking for information related to its biochemical role, I would be happy to help with that!
Enterobacteriaceae is a family of gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. Many species within this family are capable of causing various types of infections, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems. Some common examples of Enterobacteriaceae include Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Salmonella enterica.
These bacteria are typically characterized by their ability to ferment various sugars and produce acid and gas as byproducts. They can also be distinguished by their biochemical reactions, such as their ability to produce certain enzymes or resist specific antibiotics. Infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae can range from mild to severe, depending on the species involved and the overall health of the infected individual.
Some infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae include urinary tract infections, pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and foodborne illnesses. Proper hygiene, such as handwashing and safe food handling practices, can help prevent the spread of these bacteria and reduce the risk of infection.
Trypanosoma is a genus of flagellated protozoan parasites belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae. These microscopic single-celled organisms are known to cause various tropical diseases in humans and animals, including Chagas disease (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) and African sleeping sickness (caused by Trypanosoma brucei).
The life cycle of Trypanosoma involves alternating between an insect vector (like a tsetse fly or kissing bug) and a mammalian host. The parasites undergo complex morphological changes as they move through the different hosts and developmental stages, often exhibiting distinct forms in the insect vector compared to the mammalian host.
Trypanosoma species have an undulating membrane and a single flagellum that helps them move through their environment. They can be transmitted through various routes, including insect vectors, contaminated food or water, or congenital transmission from mother to offspring. The diseases caused by these parasites can lead to severe health complications and may even be fatal if left untreated.