A single mutation weakens symbiont-induced reproductive manipulation through reductions in deubiquitylation efficiency
John F. Beckmann, Kelley Van Vaerenberghe, Daniel E. Akwa, Brandon S. Cooper
Abstract
Significance Wolbachia are maternally transmitted bacteria that infect most insects, making them the most common endosymbionts. Wolbachia achieved this status by manipulating host reproduction. For example, many Wolbachia cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) that kills uninfected embryos. In females, Wolbachia can rescue CI, promoting their spread to high frequencies in host populations. CI strength varies in nature from weak to strong. Importantly, strong CI enables Wolbachia biocontrol strategies in mosquito systems, which protect millions of individuals from arboviruses. However, theory predicts that natural selection does not act to preserve genes that cause CI, suggesting mutations may disrupt it. We show that a single naturally observed mutation weakens CI by reducing deubiquitylation. These discoveries help elucidate the molecular basis of symbiont-induced reproductive manipulations.