Does Spiroplasma protect against trypanosome infection in Drosophila?

NERC : Jordan Jones : NE/L002450/1

Over 50% of all insect species carry bacteria that are passed from mother to offspring. These bacteria rely on their host for survival and transmission, and in many cases have evolved to benefit their insect hosts. One particular beneficial bacterial-mediated trait which is being found to be increasingly common among insects is protection against natural enemies.

For instance, the maternally inherited bacteria of fruit flies, Spiroplasma, can protect its host against attack by parasitic nematodes and wasps.

Bacterial-mediated protective traits have important potential applications. Maternally inherited bacteria are now being deployed in mosquitoes to help control the spread of vector transmitted diseases such as Dengue and Zika. They may also determine the success of biocontrol by enemies. Hence, it is of great importance to determine the ability of maternally inherited bacteria to protect against novel parasites, particularly those of societal importance.

As the causal agent of several human and animal diseases such as African sleeping sickness, the trypanosomatids represent parasites of great medical and economic importance to society. Recent evidence has indicated that bacteria such as Spiroplasma, may be able to protect against trypanosomatid infection in Tsetse flies. However, although this evidence is encouraging, we do not currently have the molecular tools to fully understand this association in great depth.

The fruit fly is commonly infected with trypanosomatid parasites and is one of the best model systems for determining the evolutionary ecology of immunity and protection. This project will determine whether the natural bacteria of fruit flies, Spiroplasma, can protect fruit flies against trypanosomatid infection. This project aims to further our knowledge on the generality of Spiroplasma-mediated defence within insects and more widely, a greater understanding of a relatively novel and underappreciated model system within the laboratory.

We aim to develop the Drosophila-Spiroplasma-trypanosome interaction as one that is ideal for laboratory study.