Three genomes, two organisms and one host: Interactions between the endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis, the WO bacteriophage and drosophila simulans

沃尔巴克氏杆菌是一种变形细菌，几百万年来一直与寄主昆虫保持共生关系。沃尔巴克氏菌存在于宿主细胞的细胞质内，特别是卵巢和睾丸的细胞内，因此是内共生体。沃尔巴克氏菌与宿主之间的关系有两个耐人寻味的方面。首先，宿主似乎没有意识到沃尔巴克氏菌的存在，因为它不会产生典型的抗细菌免疫反应。我的实验室一直在研究允许这些细菌在宿主细胞内生存和复制的机制，我们已经证明，宿主和细菌合作可以减少活性氧(RO)造成的潜在细胞和DNA损伤。在受感染的细胞中产生高水平的RO物种，并招募宿主和细菌抗氧化酶来中和它们。这是第一次描述动物细胞和细菌之间的这种类型的合作。

Wolbachia pipientis are proteobacteria that have maintained symbiotic associations with host insects for millions of years. Wolbachia exist within the cytoplasm of host cells, preferentially cells of the ovaries and testes, and are therefore endosymbionts. There are two intriguing aspects about the relationship between Wolbachia and its hosts. First, the host does not seem to recognize the presence of Wolbachia because it does not mount a typical anti-bacterial immune response. My laboratory has been studying the mechanisms that allow these bacteria to survive and replicate inside the host cells, and we have shown that the host and bacteria cooperate to reduce potential cellular and DNA damage caused by reactive oxygen (RO). RO species are generated at high levels in infected cells, and both host and bacterial antioxidant enzymes are recruited to neutralize them. This is the first time that cooperation of this type has been described between animal cells and bacteria.