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

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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.