In Silico Analysis of the Cytoplasmic Incompatibility-Associated Genes in Wolbachia-Hosts Interaction

Abstract

Wolbachia is an intracellular alpha-bacterium that generates reproductive- distortion in its hosts. The most prevalent manipulation is in the form of cytoplasmic incompatibility. There are few studies that focus on the responsible genes and the interaction with the host and the endosymbiont. This study aims to determine the cytoplasmic incompatibility—related genes involved during Wolbachia-Aedes aegypti and Wolbachia-Culex quinquefasciatus symbioses using available data on Drosophila melanogaster. Identities of D.melanogaster genes associated with cytoplasmic incompatibility in the ovary, malpighian tubule and subcutaneous fats were obtained from Ensemble Database resulting in 1488. 2544 and 1934 genes, respectively. The genes were clustered by similarity of their functions using DAVID. The clusters with scores greater than 1.30 were considered enriched, however, only the top two clusters are discussed. Drosophila gene clusters were used as basis for Ae. aegypti and Culex sp. orthologues clusters. Genes in the ovary had the highest number of annotation clusters (57) and enrichment score (23.53). Those in the tubule had 50 clusters and a maximum enrichment score of 5.11. Genes in the fat body had 37 clusters and a maximum enrichment score of 6.11. It is in the ovary that Wolbachia are mostly located. Germ cells serve as the site for endosymbiosis where Wolbachia alters the mitotic spindle and microtubule organization during the localization of axis-determinging factors. In the malpighian tubule, Wolbachia serves to maintain the stability of the tubule and its osmoregulatory activity, while supporting its perpetuation by inducing tubule morphogenesis and exocytosis. In the fat body, Wolbachia induces increased energy supply and protein synthesis.