New insights into the genome and transmission of the microsporidian pathogen Nosema muscidifuracis

Authors: XIONG, XIAO - Auburn University; Geden, Christopher - Chris; BERGSTRALH, DANIEL - University Of Rochester; White, Roxie; WERREN, JOHN - University Of Rochester; WANG, XU - Auburn University

Submitted to: Frontiers in Microbiology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/23/2023
Publication Date: 4/13/2023
Citation: Xiong, X., Geden, C.J., Bergstralh, D.T., Werren, J.H., Wang, X., White, R.L. 2023. New insights into the genome and transmission of the microsporidian pathogen Nosema muscidifuracis. Frontiers in Microbiology. 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1152586.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1152586

Interpretive Summary: The genus Nosema is a group of microsporidian parasites that are intracellular parasites of both pest and beneficial insects. The species that affect beneficial insects include those that infect honey bees, silkworms and parasitic wasps of filth flies such as house flies and stable flies. Nosema disease results in an overall weakening if it's host, shorter lifespans, and reduced fecundity. In this study, scientists at Auburn University (AL), the University of Rochester (NY), St Louis University (MO), and USDA-ARS-CMAVE (Gainesville, FL) examined the relatedness of several important species in this genus. In particular, the genome of N. muscidifuracis, a pathogen of filth fly parasitoids, was compared with other known Nosema species. N. muscifuracis was found to be most closely related to species that infect honeybees. The much improved and well annotated Nosema genome will inform future genome manipulation in Nosema-disease fungal pathogen and make its application more cost-effective and environment-friendly. The phylogenetic and comparative analysis of the hymenopteran fungal Nosema will reveal novel insights into host-parasite interactions and enhance the understanding of parasite evolution.

Technical Abstract: The genus Nosema is a group of microsporidian parasites that are intracellular parasites of both pest and beneficial insects. The species that affect beneficial insects include those that infect honey bees, silkworms and parasitic wasps of filth flies such as house flies and stable flies. Nosema disease results in an overall weakening if it's host, shorter lifespans, and reduced fecundity. In this study, scientists at Auburn University (AL), the University of Rochester (NY), St Louis University (MO), and USDA-ARS-CMAVE (Gainesville, FL) examined the relatedness of several important species in this genus. In particular, the genome of N. muscidifuracis, a pathogen of filth fly parasitoids, was compared with other known Nosema species. A high-quality genome of Nosema in M. zaraptor was assembled using PacBio long-read sequencing technology. The genome size is 14M with 28 scaffolds and the scaffold N50 of 544.3 kb. Nosema muscifuracis was found to be most closely related to species that infect honeybees. The much improved and well annotated Nosema genome will inform future genome manipulation in Nosema-disease fungal pathogen and make its application more cost-effective and environment-friendly. The phylogenetic and comparative analysis of the hymenopteran fungal Nosema will reveal novel insights into host-parasite interactions and enhance the understanding of parasite evolution.