Open AccessThe rich somatic life of Wolbachia
Author(s) -
Pietri Jose E.,
DeBruhl Heather,
Sullivan William
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
microbiologyopen
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.881
H-Index - 36
ISSN - 2045-8827
DOI - 10.1002/mbo3.390
Subject(s) - wolbachia , biology , somatic cell , germline , cytoplasmic incompatibility , lineage (genetic) , host (biology) , evolutionary biology , genetics , gene
Wolbachia is an intracellular endosymbiont infecting most arthropod and some filarial nematode species that is vertically transmitted through the maternal lineage. Due to this primary mechanism of transmission, most studies have focused on Wolbachia interactions with the host germline. However, over the last decade many studies have emerged highlighting the prominence of Wolbachia in somatic tissues, implicating somatic tissue tropism as an important aspect of the life history of this endosymbiont. Here, we review our current understanding of Wolbachia –host interactions at both the cellular and organismal level, with a focus on Wolbachia in somatic tissues.