Physiological Aspects of Wolbachia pipientis–Drosophila melanogaster Relationship
Elena V. Burdina, Н. Е. Грунтенко
Abstract
Abstract The intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis is one of the most common prokaryotic symbionts of invertebrates. It is able to affect host species reproduction, thus contributing to the spread of the bacteria in host populations via increasing the number of infected females. However, while the main effects of Wolbachia are well documented, the mechanisms of reproductive anomalies it evokes and positive effects it exerts on the host fitness remain largely understudied. This review addresses various aspects of Wolbachia effects on host physiology and fitness with a special focus on the symbiotic system Wolbachia pipientis–Drosophila melanogaster, specifically Wolbachia influence on host hormonal status and host resistance to stress, viral infection, fecundity, and lifespan.