A Wolbachia factor for male killing in lepidopteran insects

Susumu Katsuma (), Kanako Hirota, Noriko Matsuda-Imai, Takahiro Fukui, Tomohiro Muro, Kohei Nishino, Hidetaka Kosako, Keisuke Shoji, Hideki Takanashi, Takeshi Fujii, Shin-ichi Arimura and Takashi Kiuchi
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Susumu Katsuma: The University of Tokyo
Kanako Hirota: The University of Tokyo
Noriko Matsuda-Imai: The University of Tokyo
Takahiro Fukui: The University of Tokyo
Tomohiro Muro: The University of Tokyo
Kohei Nishino: Tokushima University
Hidetaka Kosako: Tokushima University
Keisuke Shoji: The University of Tokyo
Hideki Takanashi: The University of Tokyo
Takeshi Fujii: Setsunan University
Shin-ichi Arimura: The University of Tokyo
Takashi Kiuchi: The University of Tokyo

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Bacterial symbionts, such as Wolbachia species, can manipulate the sexual development and reproduction of their insect hosts. For example, Wolbachia infection induces male-specific death in the Asian corn borer Ostrinia furnacalis by targeting the host factor Masculinizer (Masc), an essential protein for masculinization and dosage compensation in lepidopteran insects. Here we identify a Wolbachia protein, designated Oscar, which interacts with Masc via its ankyrin repeats. Embryonic expression of Oscar inhibits Masc-induced masculinization and leads to male killing in two lepidopteran insects, O. furnacalis and the silkworm Bombyx mori. Our study identifies a mechanism by which Wolbachia induce male killing of host progeny.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34488-y

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