Ondřej Pomahač, Daniel Méndez-Sánchez, Ivan Čepička
{"title":"Bit by bit toward the diversity of metopids: Description of the genus Pidimetopus n. gen. (Ciliophora: Armophorea)","authors":"Ondřej Pomahač, Daniel Méndez-Sánchez, Ivan Čepička","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13034","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13034","url":null,"abstract":"<p>While metopids (Armophorea: Metopida) represent the most species-rich group of free-living anaerobic ciliates thriving in hypoxic environments, our understanding of their true diversity remains incomplete. Most metopid species are still characterized only morphologically. Particularly, the so-called IAC clade (named in the past after some of the taxa included, <i>Idiometopus</i>, <i>Atopospira</i>, and Clevelandellida), comprising free-living members as well as the endosymbiotic ones (order Clevelandellida), is in serious need of revision. In our study, we establish a new free-living genus in the IAC clade, <i>Pidimetopus</i> n. gen., with descriptions of two new species, <i>P. nanus</i> n. sp., and <i>P. permonicus</i> n. sp., using up-to-date molecular and morphologic methods. The genus is characterized by small cells (up to 75 μm long), not more than 10 adoral membranelles and eight somatic kineties, and usually, four long caudal cilia that can stiffen. In addition to morphologic and molecular characterizations, we also conducted a statistical morphotype analysis of the polymorphic species <i>P. nanus</i> n. sp. We discuss the relevance of the earlier morphologically described species <i>Metopus minor</i> as a putative collective taxon for several small metopids less than 50 μm long.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141186711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Genome evolution in intracellular parasites: Microsporidia and Apicomplexa","authors":"Amjad Khalaf, Ore Francis, Mark L. Blaxter","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13033","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13033","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microsporidia and Apicomplexa are eukaryotic, single-celled, intracellular parasites with huge public health and economic importance. Typically, these parasites are studied separately, emphasizing their uniqueness and diversity. In this review, we explore the huge amount of genomic data that has recently become available for the two groups. We compare and contrast their genome evolution and discuss how their transitions to intracellular life may have shaped it. In particular, we explore genome reduction and compaction, genome expansion and ploidy, gene shuffling and rearrangements, and the evolution of centromeres and telomeres.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13033","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141087255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kana Sakoshita, Shotaro Aratani, Nana Kameda, Ryo Takebe, Takashi Tominaga, Masaki Ishida, Manabu Hori
{"title":"Anoctamin-like protein 1 regulates repolarization in Paramecium behavioral responses","authors":"Kana Sakoshita, Shotaro Aratani, Nana Kameda, Ryo Takebe, Takashi Tominaga, Masaki Ishida, Manabu Hori","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13030","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><i>Paramecium</i> exhibits responsive behavior to environmental changes, moving either closer to or further away from stimuli. Electrophysiological experiments have revealed that these behavioral responses are controlled by membrane potentials. Anoctamin, a Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated Cl<sup>−</sup> channel, is involved in the regulation of membrane potential in mammals. However, it remains uncertain whether Cl<sup>−</sup> channels like anoctamin regulate <i>Paramecium</i> behavior. Herein, replacement of external Cl<sup>−</sup> ions with acetate ion and application of Cl<sup>−</sup> channel blocker niflumic acid (NFA, 0.1 μM) increased spontaneous avoiding reactions (sARs). Hence, we hypothesized that anoctamin is involved in the stabilization of membrane potential fluctuation. <i>Paramecium</i> cells in which the anoctamin-like protein 1 gene was knocked down displayed frequent sARs in the culture medium without external stimulation. Treatment of anoctamin-like protein 1-knockdown cells with the Ca<sup>2+</sup> chelator BAPTA or Ca-channel blocker nicardipine reversed the increase in sARs. Electrophysiological experiments revealed extension of membrane depolarization when positive currents were applied to anoctamin-like protein 1-knockdown cells. We concluded that anoctamin-like protein 1 works as a Cl-channel and stabilizes the membrane potential oscillation, reducing sARs.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140957882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brian M. Becker, Idan Banson, James M. Walker, Anant Deshwal, Matthew W. Brown, Jeffery D. Silberman
{"title":"Isolation of Naegleria lustrarea n. sp. (Excavata, Discoba, Heterolobosea) from the feces of Ambystoma annulatum (Ringed Salamander) in Northwest Arkansas","authors":"Brian M. Becker, Idan Banson, James M. Walker, Anant Deshwal, Matthew W. Brown, Jeffery D. Silberman","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13031","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13031","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The salamander, <i>Ambystoma annulatum</i>, is considered a “species of special concern” in the state of Arkansas, USA, due to its limited geographic range, specialized habitat requirements and low population size. Although metazoan parasites have been documented in this salamander species, neither its native protists nor microbiome have yet been evaluated. This is likely due to the elusive nature and under-sampling of the animal. Here, we initiate the cataloguing of microbial associates with the identification of a new heterlobosean species, <i>Naegleria lustrarea</i> n. sp. (Excavata, Discoba, Heterolobosea), isolated from feces of an adult <i>A</i>. <i>annulatum</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140897953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microsporidia: Pervasive natural pathogens of Caenorhabditis elegans and related nematodes","authors":"Spencer S. Gang, Vladimir Lažetić","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13027","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13027","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The nematode <i>Caenorhabditis elegans</i> is an invaluable host model for studying infections caused by various pathogens, including microsporidia. Microsporidia represent the first natural pathogens identified in <i>C. elegans</i>, revealing the previously unknown <i>Nematocida</i> genus of microsporidia. Following this discovery, the utilization of nematodes as a model host has rapidly expanded our understanding of microsporidia biology and has provided key insights into the cell and molecular mechanisms of antimicrosporidia defenses. Here, we first review the isolation history, morphological characteristics, life cycles, tissue tropism, genetics, and host immune responses for the four most well-characterized <i>Nematocida</i> species that infect <i>C. elegans</i>. We then highlight additional examples of microsporidia that infect related terrestrial and aquatic nematodes, including parasitic nematodes. To conclude, we assess exciting potential applications of the nematode-microsporidia system while addressing the technical advances necessary to facilitate future growth in this field.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140831281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
William Bourland, Ondřej Pomahač, Kateřina Poláková, Ivan Čepička
{"title":"Redescription and molecular characterization of Loxocephalus luridus Eberhard, 1862 based on Czech populations: Implications for order Loxocephalida Jankowski, 1980","authors":"William Bourland, Ondřej Pomahač, Kateřina Poláková, Ivan Čepička","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13028","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13028","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The phylogenetic and taxonomic affinities of lineages currently assigned to the non-monophyletic ciliate order Loxocephalida Jankowski (1980) within subclass Scuticociliatia Small (1967) remain unresolved. In the current study, we redescribe the morphology of the type species, <i>Loxocephalus luridus</i> Eberhard (1862) based on two Czech populations and include the first scanning and transmission electron microscopy images of the species. We provide the first 18S rRNA gene sequences for <i>L. luridus</i> and consider its phylogenetic position. Our results support the separation of <i>Dexiotricha</i> from <i>Loxocephalus</i>; however, the former genus is recovered as non-monophyletic. The monophyly of genus <i>Dexiotricha</i> and that of <i>Loxocephalus + Dexiotricha</i> is rejected. <i>Loxocephalus luridus</i>, together with <i>Dexiotricha</i> species, nests within a fully supported clade with <i>Conchophthirus</i> species, long presumed to belong to the Pleuronematida. <i>Haptophrya</i> is recovered as sister to this clade. The monophyly of the Astomatia Schewiakoff (1896) including <i>Haptophrya</i> is rejected. No clear morphologic synapomorphy is identified for the fully supported clade consisting of <i>Haptophrya</i>, <i>Dexiotricha</i>, <i>Loxocephalus</i>, and <i>Conchophthirus</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140590141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Parker Parrella, Annabelle B. Elikan, Jonathan W. Snow
{"title":"Pathogen- and host-directed pharmacologic strategies for control of Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infection in honey bees","authors":"Parker Parrella, Annabelle B. Elikan, Jonathan W. Snow","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13026","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13026","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites of the Fungal Kingdom that cause widespread infections in nature, with important effects on invertebrates involved in food production systems. The two microsporidian species <i>Vairimorpha (Nosema) ceranae</i> (and the less common <i>Vairimorpha (Nosema) apis</i>) can cause individual disease in honey bees and contribute to colony collapse. The efficacy, safety, and availability of fumagillin, the only drug currently approved to treat microsporidia infection in bees, is uncertain. In this review, we will discuss some of the most promising alternative strategies for the mitigation of <i>Vairimorpha</i> spp. with an emphasis on infection by <i>V. ceranae</i>, now the dominant species infecting bees. We will focus on pharmacologic interventions where the mechanism of action is known and examine both pathogen-directed and host-directed approaches. As limiting toxicity to host cells has been especially emphasized in treating bees that are already facing numerous stressors, strategies that disrupt pathogen-specific targets may be especially advantageous. Therefore, efforts to increase the knowledge and tools for facilitating the discovery of such targets and pharmacologic agents directed against them should be prioritized.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140590208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jonathan Tersigni, Hala Tamim El Jarkass, Edward B. James, Aaron W. Reinke
{"title":"Interactions between microsporidia and other members of the microbiome","authors":"Jonathan Tersigni, Hala Tamim El Jarkass, Edward B. James, Aaron W. Reinke","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13025","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13025","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The microbiome is the collection of microbes that are associated with a host. Microsporidia are intracellular eukaryotic parasites that can infect most types of animals. In the last decade, there has been much progress to define the relationship between microsporidia and the microbiome. In this review, we cover an increasing number of reports suggesting that microsporidia are common components of the microbiome in both invertebrates and vertebrates. These microsporidia infections can range from mutualistic to pathogenic, causing several physiological phenotypes, including death. Infection with microsporidia often causes a disruption in the normal microbiome, with both increases and decreases of bacterial, fungal, viral, and protozoan species being observed. This impact on the microbiome can occur through upregulation and downregulation of innate immunity as well as morphological changes to tissues that impact interactions with these microbes. Other microbes, particularly bacteria, can inhibit microsporidia and have been exploited to control microsporidia infections. These bacteria can function through regulating immunity, secreting anti-microsporidia compounds, and, in engineered versions, expressing double-stranded RNA targeting microsporidia genes. We end this review by discussing potential future directions to further understand the complex interactions between microsporidia and the other members of the microbiome.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13025","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140335847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anders Alfjorden, Ioana Onut-Brännström, Niklas Wengström, Arni Kristmundsson, Mahwash Jamy, B. David Persson, Fabien Burki
{"title":"Identification of a new gregarine parasite associated with mass mortality events of freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Sweden","authors":"Anders Alfjorden, Ioana Onut-Brännström, Niklas Wengström, Arni Kristmundsson, Mahwash Jamy, B. David Persson, Fabien Burki","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13021","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13021","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Freshwater bivalves play key ecological roles in lakes and rivers, largely contributing to healthy ecosystems. The freshwater pearl mussel, <i>Margaritifera margaritifera</i>, is found in Europe and on the East coast of North America. Once common in oxygenated streams, <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i> is rapidly declining and consequently assessed as a threatened species worldwide. Deterioration of water quality has been considered the main factor for the mass mortality events affecting this species. Yet, the role of parasitic infections has not been investigated. Here, we report the discovery of three novel protist lineages found in Swedish populations of <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i> belonging to one of the terrestrial groups of gregarines (Eugregarinorida, Apicomplexa). These lineages are closely related–but clearly separated–from the tadpole parasite <i>Nematopsis temporariae</i>. In one lineage, which is specifically associated with mortality events of <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i>, we found cysts containing single vermiform zoites in the gills and other organs of diseased individuals using microscopy and in situ hybridization. This represents the first report of a parasitic infection in <i>M</i>. <i>margaritifera</i> that may be linked to the decline of this mussel species. We propose a tentative life cycle with the distribution of different developmental stages and potential exit from the host into the environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13021","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140119623","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Novel cytoskeletal traits in the intestinal parasites (Squirmida, Platyproteum vivax) of Pacific peanut worms (Sipuncula, Phascolosoma agassizii)","authors":"Danja Currie-Olsen, Brian S. Leander","doi":"10.1111/jeu.13023","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jeu.13023","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The cytoskeletal organization of a squirmid, namely <i>Platyproteum vivax</i>, was investigated with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to refine inferences about convergent evolution among intestinal parasites of marine invertebrates. <i>Platyproteum</i> inhabits Pacific peanut worms (<i>Phascolosoma agassizii</i>) and has traits that are similar to other lineages of myzozoan parasites, namely gregarine apicomplexans within <i>Selenidium</i>, such as conspicuous feeding stages, called “trophozoites,” capable of dynamic undulations. SEM and CLSM of <i>P</i>. <i>vivax</i> revealed an inconspicuous flagellar apparatus and a uniform array of longitudinal microtubules organized in bundles (LMBs). Extreme flattening of the trophozoites and a consistently oblique morphology of the anterior end provided a reliable way to distinguish dorsal and ventral surfaces. CLSM revealed a novel system of microtubules oriented in the flattened dorsoventral plane. Most of these dorsoventral microtubule bundles (DVMBs) had a punctate distribution and were evenly spaced along a curved line spanning the longitudinal axis of the trophozoites. This configuration of microtubules is inferred to function in maintaining the flattened shape of the trophozoites and facilitate dynamic undulations. The novel traits in <i>Platyproteum</i> are consistent with phylogenomic data showing that this lineage is only distantly related to <i>Selenidium</i> and other marine gregarine apicomplexans with dynamic intestinal trophozoites.</p>","PeriodicalId":15672,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology","volume":"71 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2024-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jeu.13023","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139944206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}