| RRC ID |
74639
|
| Author |
Kageyama D, Harumoto T, Nagamine K, Fujiwara A, Sugimoto TN, Jouraku A, Tamura M, Katoh TK, Watada M.
|
| Title |
A male-killing gene encoded by a symbiotic virus of Drosophila.
|
| Journal |
Nat Commun
|
| Abstract |
In most eukaryotes, biparentally inherited nuclear genomes and maternally inherited cytoplasmic genomes have different evolutionary interests. Strongly female-biased sex ratios that are repeatedly observed in various arthropods often result from the male-specific lethality (male-killing) induced by maternally inherited symbiotic bacteria such as Spiroplasma and Wolbachia. However, despite some plausible case reports wherein viruses are raised as male-killers, it is not well understood how viruses, having much smaller genomes than bacteria, are capable of inducing male-killing. Here we show that a maternally inherited double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus belonging to the family Partitiviridae (designated DbMKPV1) induces male-killing in Drosophila. DbMKPV1 localizes in the cytoplasm and possesses only four genes, i.e., one gene in each of the four genomic segments (dsRNA1-dsRNA4), in contrast to ca. 1000 or more genes possessed by Spiroplasma or Wolbachia. We also show that a protein (designated PVMKp1; 330 amino acids in size), encoded by a gene on the dsRNA4 segment, is necessary and sufficient for inducing male-killing. Our results imply that male-killing genes can be easily acquired by symbiotic viruses through reassortment and that symbiotic viruses are hidden players in arthropod evolution. We anticipate that host-manipulating genes possessed by symbiotic viruses can be utilized for controlling arthropods.
|
| Volume |
14(1)
|
| Pages |
1357
|
| Published |
2023-3-13
|
| DOI |
10.1038/s41467-023-37145-0
|
| PII |
10.1038/s41467-023-37145-0
|
| PMID |
36914655
|
| PMC |
PMC10011393
|
| MeSH |
Animals
Drosophila melanogaster* / embryology
Drosophila melanogaster* / virology
Embryonic Development
Evolution, Molecular
Female
Genes, Viral* / physiology
Insect Viruses* / genetics
Male
Open Reading Frames / genetics
RNA, Double-Stranded / physiology
RNA, Viral / physiology
Sex Characteristics
Sex Ratio*
Symbiosis*
|
| IF |
12.121
|
| Resource |
| Drosophila |
DGRC#116072
DGRC#107783 |
