Shifts in Buchnera aphidicola density in soybean aphids (Aphis glycines) feeding on virus‐infected soybean. Issue 4 (3rd April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cassone, Bryan J.; Redinbaugh, Margaret G.; Dorrance, Anne E.; Michel, Andrew P.
• Is Part Of: Insect molecular biology. Volume 24:Issue 4(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 422
• Page End: 431
• Publication Date: 2015-04-03
• Subjects: Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; 595.7
• DOI: 10.1111/imb.12170
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1075

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Vertically transmitted bacterial symbionts are common in arthropods. Aphids undergo an obligate symbiosis with <italic>Buchnera aphidicola</italic>, which provides essential amino acids to its host and contributes directly to nymph growth and reproduction. We previously found that newly adult <italic>Aphis glycines</italic> feeding on soybean infected with the beetle‐transmitted <italic>Bean pod mottle virus</italic> (BPMV) had significantly reduced fecundity. We hypothesized that the reduced fecundity was attributable to detrimental impacts of the virus on the aphid microbiome, namely <italic>Buchnera</italic>. To test this, mRNA sequencing and quantitative real‐time PCR were used to assay <italic>Buchnera</italic> transcript abundance and titre in <italic>A. glycines</italic> feeding on <italic>Soybean mosaic virus</italic>‐infected, BPMV‐infected, and healthy soybean for up to 14 days. Our results indicated that <italic>Buchnera</italic> density was lower and ultimately suppressed in aphids feeding on virus‐infected soybean. While the decreased <italic>Buchnera</italic> titre may be associated with reduced aphid fecundity, additional mechanisms are probably involved. The present report begins to describe how interactions among insects, plants, and plant pathogens influence endosymbiont population dynamics.</p> </abstract>