Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Miguel Medina Munoz, Caitlyn Brenner, Dylan Richmond, Noah Spencer, Rita V. M. Rio
Summary: The transcriptomic analysis of tsetse flies revealed significant differences in gene expression between species, particularly in Wigglesworthia which may reflect differences in host co-evolution and adaptation. These differences could contribute to the variations in vector competence between tsetse species and provide insights for novel vector control strategies.
Article
Biology
Andrea K. Adden, Lee R. Haines, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Lucia L. Prieto-Godino
Summary: Tsetse flies have a significant impact on public health and economic development in sub-Saharan African countries due to the transmission of African trypanosomiasis. Laboratory studies previously suggested that a possible larval pheromone attracted gravid female flies to appropriate birthing sites. However, field experiments did not support this attraction. Naturalistic laboratory experiments mimicking wild conditions revealed that the flies were not attracted to the putative pheromone or pupae in the soil, but rather chose birthing sites based on environmental substrate cues.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Cornelius Mweempwa, Kalinga Chilongo, Kyoko Hayashida, Boniface Namangala
Summary: This study found that female tsetse flies have a higher prevalence of trypanosomes compared to males, possibly due to their larger body size. Wing length was identified as an important predictor variable for trypanosome prevalence in Glossina morsitans morsitans, but further population data analysis is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kaia J. Tombak, Andrew S. Gersick, Lily Reisinger, Brenda Larison, Daniel Rubenstein
Summary: The hypothesis that zebras have stripes to repel biting flies is well-supported. However, the mechanism behind this effect is still unknown. Field experiments in Kenya confirmed that zebra stripes repel flies at close range, but also revealed that interspecific variation in stripe width is associated with factors other than biting flies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Kennedy W. Mwangi, Rosaline W. Macharia, Joel L. Bargul
Summary: The study constructed a gene co-expression network of insect-stage trypanosomes using RNA-Seq data and identified enriched modules for genes that play key roles in the parasite's development in the tsetse fly. Additionally, potential 3' UTR regulatory elements for genes in the same module were predicted using the FIRE tool. This network provides a valuable resource for identifying candidate genes for functional studies and understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying important biological processes during the parasite's development in the tsetse fly, which could lead to the identification of potential molecular targets for disease control.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Kalinga Chilongo, Tawanda Manyangadze, Samson Mukaratirwa
Summary: The impact of human settlements on tsetse populations depends on distance; the further away from human settlements, the better the body size and physiological condition of tsetse flies.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alexander C. Haindrich, Viona Ernst, Arunasalam Naguleswaran, Quentin-Florian Oliveres, Isabel Roditi, Doris Rentsch
Summary: Trypanosoma brucei, a unicellular parasite causing severe diseases in livestock and humans, is able to adapt to diverse environments and changes in nutritional conditions when changing hosts. A study found that AAT7-B transporters play a crucial role in the response of T. brucei to proline starvation and proline catabolism, suggesting their importance in nutrient availability response mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Caroline E. Dewar, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Constentin Dieme, Aline Crouzols, Lee R. Haines, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Brice Rotureau, Achim Schnaufer
Summary: This study demonstrates that efficient energy production through mitochondria is critical for the trypanosome's swimming ability and migration within the tsetse fly. Surprisingly, trypanosomes with impaired mitochondrial energy production are only mildly compromised in their ability to colonize the tsetse fly midgut. This study provides new insights into the complex mechanisms of trypanosome infection in tsetse flies.
Article
Microbiology
Caroline E. Dewar, Aitor Casas-Sanchez, Constentin Dieme, Aline Crouzols, Lee R. Haines, Alvaro Acosta-Serrano, Brice Rotureau, Achim Schnaufer
Summary: The single-celled parasite Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by tsetse flies and its development in the fly's gut depends on efficient energy production by mitochondria.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mouhamadou M. Dieng, Kiswend-sida M. Dera, Percy Moyaba, Gisele M. S. Ouedraogo, Guler Demirbas-Uzel, Fabian Gstottenmayer, Fernando C. Mulandane, Luis Neves, Sihle Mdluli, Jean-Baptiste Rayaisse, Adrien M. G. Belem, Soumaila Pagabeleguem, Chantel J. de Beer, Andrew G. Parker, Jan Van den Abbeele, Robert L. Mach, Marc J. B. Vreysen, Adly M. M. Abd-Alla
Summary: The sterile insect technique is an effective and sustainable method for managing insect pests. This study examines the interaction between Sodalis bacteria and Trypanosoma infection in tsetse flies. The presence of Sodalis and Trypanosoma varied among different countries and tsetse species. The study also found differences in the prevalence of specific Trypanosoma species in different regions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Letter
Biology
Keith R. Matthews, Stephen Larcombe
Summary: The study finds that both slender and stumpy forms of trypanosomes can infect tsetse flies, but stumpy forms are more likely to be successful. Stumpy forms are defined by molecular adaptations for life-cycle progression and dominate in chronic infections.
Article
Parasitology
Mahamat Hissene Mahamat, Adeline Segard, Jean-Baptiste Rayaisse, Rafael Argiles-Herrero, Andrew Gordon Parker, Philippe Solano, Adly Mohamed Mohamed Abd-Alla, Jeremy Bouyer, Sophie Ravel
Summary: Based on experimental data, the research found that sterile male tsetse flies cannot transmit Trypanosoma brucei brucei. The reliable evidence indicates that the release of large numbers of sterile male flies does not increase the potential risk of tsetse flies transmitting the parasite.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Jan Votypka, Klara J. Petrzelkova, Jana Brzonova, Milan Jirku, David Modry, Julius Lukes
Summary: Researchers discovered several monoxenous trypanosomatids in the gut of tsetse flies in the protected areas of Central African Republic, suggesting that these flies may not only acquire nutrients through blood-feeding, but also potentially spread pathogens by consuming sugar and water.
FOLIA PARASITOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Geoffrey M. Attardo, Joshua B. Benoit, Veronika Michalkova, Alekhya Kondragunta, Aaron A. Baumann, Brian L. Weiss, Anna Malacrida, Francesca Scolari, Serap Aksoy
Summary: Lipid metabolism is critical for insect reproduction, and the role of symbiotic bacteria in this process is essential but understudied. This study examined the interaction between the viviparous tsetse fly and its obligate endosymbiotic bacteria during tsetse pregnancy. The results showed that symbiont-derived factors, likely B vitamins, are critical for proper lipid metabolism and fecundity in tsetse flies.
Article
Microbiology
Calmes Ursain Bouaka Tsakeng, Tito Tresor Melachio Tanekou, Steve Feudjio Soffack, Inaki Tirados, Cedrique Noutchih, Flobert Njiokou, Jude Daiga Bigoga, Charles Sinclair Wondji
Summary: This study provides an inventory of tsetse bacterial communities in Cameroon and explores their possible associations with trypanosome establishment in Glossina palpalis palpalis. The results show significant differences in microbiome diversity and composition among tsetse species and between teneral and non-teneral flies, or between flies displaying or not displaying mature trypanosome infections. Some bacteria are associated with trypanosome maturation in tsetse flies and could be further investigated for potential vector control tools.
Article
Microbiology
Brian L. Weiss, Michele A. Maltz, Aurelien Vigneron, Yineng Wu, Katharine S. Walter, Michelle B. O'Neill, Jingwen Wang, Serap Aksoy
Article
Cell Biology
Florent Masson, Sandra Calderon-Copete, Fanny Schuepfer, Aurelien Vigneron, Samuel Rommelaere, Mario G. Garcia-Arraez, Juan C. Paredes, Bruno Lemaitre
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aurelien Vigneron, Michelle B. O'Neill, Brian L. Weiss, Amy F. Savage, Olivia C. Campbell, Shaden Kamhawi, Jesus G. Valenzuela, Serap Aksoy
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2020)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Peter J. Hotez, Serap Aksoy, Paul J. Brindley, Shaden Kamhawi
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Maria Gorreti Onyango, Sean M. Bialosuknia, Anne F. Payne, Nicholas Mathias, Lili Kuo, Aurelien Vigneron, Matthew DeGennaro, Alexander T. Ciota, Laura D. Kramer
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2020)
Article
Cell Biology
Nurper Guz, Asli Dageri, Boran Altincicek, Serap Aksoy
Summary: The study characterized three putative heat shock proteins from S. littoralis and analyzed their expression levels in response to various stressors. It was found that these Hsp genes might play significant roles in the response to biotic and abiotic stress, as well as in the regulation of developmental stages.
CELL STRESS & CHAPERONES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Liu Yang, Brian L. Weiss, Adeline E. Williams, Emre Aksoy, Alessandra de Silva Orfano, Jae Hak Son, Yineng Wu, Aurelien Vigneron, Mehmet Karakus, Serap Aksoy
Summary: Tsetse flies are vectors of parasitic African trypanosomes, the causative agents of human and animal African trypanosomoses. Inhibiting tsetse's ability to transmit trypanosomes by strengthening the fly's natural barriers can serve as an alternative approach to reduce disease. The peritrophic matrix (PM) is a chitinous and proteinaceous barrier that lines the insect midgut and inhibits infection with pathogens.
Article
Biology
Nicolas Parisot, Carlos Vargas-Chavez, Clement Goubert, Patrice Baa-Puyoulet, Severine Balmand, Louis Beranger, Caroline Blanc, Aymeric Bonnamour, Matthieu Boulesteix, Nelly Burlet, Federica Calevro, Patrick Callaerts, Theo Chancy, Hubert Charles, Stefano Colella, Andre Da Silva Barbosa, Elisa Dell'Aglio, Alex Di Genova, Gerard Febvay, Toni Gabaldon, Mariana Galvao Ferrarini, Alexandra Gerber, Benjamin Gillet, Robert Hubley, Sandrine Hughes, Emmanuelle Jacquin-Joly, Justin Maire, Marina Marcet-Houben, Florent Masson, Camille Meslin, Nicolas Montagne, Andres Moya, Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos, Gautier Richard, Jeb Rosen, Marie-France Sagot, Arian F. A. Smit, Jessica M. Storer, Carole Vincent-Monegat, Agnes Vallier, Aurelien Vigneron, Anna Zaidman-Remy, Wael Zamoum, Cristina Vieira, Rita Rebollo, Amparo Latorre, Abdelaziz Heddi
Summary: The rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae, is a significant agricultural pest with an intracellular symbiotic relationship with the bacterium Sodalis pierantonius. Its genome contains a large amount of transposable elements, which are associated with the insect's endosymbiotic state. Compared to other beetles, S. oryzae has undergone a high rate of gene expansion. Reconstruction of host-symbiont metabolic networks revealed that S. pierantonius relies on the host for essential substances.
Article
Parasitology
Maria G. Onyango, Rachel Lange, Sean Bialosuknia, Anne Payne, Nicholas Mathias, Lili Kuo, Aurelien Vigneron, Dilip Nag, Laura D. Kramer, Alexander T. Ciota
Summary: The study identified a specific microbiota associated with ZIKV infection in Aedes albopictus midgut, and a negative correlation between this microbiota and ZIKV infection rate. Supplemental feeding of this microbiota can reduce ZIKV infection rate, potentially influencing vector-borne pathogen control strategies.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aurelien Vigneron, Martin Kaltenpoth
Summary: In this study, a transmissible syntheticsymbiosis was successfully established, providing exciting new opportunities to explore the initial dynamics of endosymbiotic interactions.
Article
Microbiology
Brian L. Weiss, Rita V. M. Rio, Serap Aksoy
Summary: Wigglesworthia glossinidia is an endosymbiont of tsetse flies that is maternally transmitted and plays a crucial role in the physiological adaptations and immune system development of the flies.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Laura J. Runyen-Janecky, Jack D. Scheutzow, Ruhan Farsin, Leah F. Cabo, Katie E. Wall, Katrina M. Kuhn, Rashel Amador, Shaina J. D'Souza, Aurelien Vigneron, Brian L. Weiss
Summary: Tsetse fly gut microbiota Sodalis glossinidius tolerates the oxidative environment induced by high heme levels and employs strategies such as sugar uptake and iron storage to survive within the host's midgut. The heme-induced gene regulation is consistent between in vitro and in vivo conditions.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Jingwen Wang, Li Gao, Serap Aksoy
Summary: In this Review, the authors explore the impact of microbiota on vector physiology and competence, provide an overview of the common and unique characteristics of microbiota in major disease vector systems and discuss the potential applications of manipulating vector microbiota for vector control purposes. Vector arthropods, such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, triatomine bugs and lice, play a role in transmitting various pathogens to mammals, posing a threat to human and animal health. These arthropods harbor symbiotic microorganisms, known as microbiota, which are essential for their development and reproduction. The authors summarize the key features of the symbiotic associations in major vector taxa and discuss the interactions between microbiota and their arthropod hosts, which influence vector metabolism and immune responses relevant for pathogen transmission success. They also highlight the use of symbiotic associations in developing alternative control methods to reduce vector populations and vector competence. The authors conclude by pointing out the remaining knowledge gaps in vector-microbiota interactions, which require further research for both basic understanding and practical applications.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)