2023
Genomic evidence of sex chromosome aneuploidy and infection-associated genotypes in the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes, the major vector of African trypanosomiasis in Uganda
Saarman N, Son J, Zhao H, Cosme L, Kong Y, Li M, Wang S, Weiss B, Echodu R, Opiro R, Aksoy S, Caccone A. Genomic evidence of sex chromosome aneuploidy and infection-associated genotypes in the tsetse fly Glossina fuscipes, the major vector of African trypanosomiasis in Uganda. Infection Genetics And Evolution 2023, 114: 105501. PMID: 37709241, PMCID: PMC10593118, DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105501.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome-wide association analysisNovel vector control strategiesAnimal African trypanosomiasisSex chromosome aneuploidyNatural populationsGenome assemblySex chromosomesGenomic regionsGenomic evidenceGenetic variationBp upstreamAutosomal SNPsSeq dataTrypanosome infectionTrypanosome parasitesAssociation analysisMolecular pathwaysAssembly metricsLinkage disequilibriumLecithin-cholesterol acyltransferaseAfrican trypanosomiasisMajor vectorGenomeSNPsPrimary vector
2022
Microbe Profile: Wigglesworthia glossinidia: the tsetse fly’s significant other
Weiss BL, Rio RVM, Aksoy S. Microbe Profile: Wigglesworthia glossinidia: the tsetse fly’s significant other. Microbiology 2022, 168: 001242. PMID: 36129743, PMCID: PMC10723186, DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.001242.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPhysiological homeostasisNutritional roleEssential nutritional roleUnique physiological adaptationsTsetse fliesFly microbiotaWigglesworthia glossinidiaObligate mutualistsHost fitnessAncient associationParasitic trypanosomesLarval periodPhysiological adaptationsFitness outcomesTsetse's abilityAntimicrobial responsesImmune systemAmidasesFliesMicrobiotaMutualistsWigglesworthiaEndosymbiontsGenomeB vitamins
2021
Viviparity and habitat restrictions may influence the evolution of male reproductive genes in tsetse fly (Glossina) species
Savini G, Scolari F, Ometto L, Rota-Stabelli O, Carraretto D, Gomulski LM, Gasperi G, Abd-Alla AMM, Aksoy S, Attardo GM, Malacrida AR. Viviparity and habitat restrictions may influence the evolution of male reproductive genes in tsetse fly (Glossina) species. BMC Biology 2021, 19: 211. PMID: 34556101, PMCID: PMC8461966, DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01148-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMale reproductive genesReproductive genesSelective pressureHabitat restrictionLong evolutionary time scalesFunctional selective pressuresPost-zygotic isolationComparative genomics approachReproductive behaviorEvolutionary time scalesUnique reproductive strategyLong evolutionary historyStrong selective pressureDivergent demographic historiesMale reproductive biologyTsetse fly speciesGenomic conflictAdenotrophic viviparityParental genomesGenomic approachesAllopatric distributionsEvolutionary historyDemographic historyReproductive biologyEvolutionary treeInfection with endosymbiotic Spiroplasma disrupts tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) metabolic and reproductive homeostasis
Son JH, Weiss BL, Schneider DI, Dera KM, Gstöttenmayer F, Opiro R, Echodu R, Saarman NP, Attardo GM, Onyango M, Abdalla A, Aksoy S. Infection with endosymbiotic Spiroplasma disrupts tsetse (Glossina fuscipes fuscipes) metabolic and reproductive homeostasis. PLOS Pathogens 2021, 17: e1009539. PMID: 34529715, PMCID: PMC8478229, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009539.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsReproductive fitnessSpiroplasma infectionSex-biased gene expressionHigh-throughput RNA sequencingReproductive physiologyIntrauterine larval developmentMale reproductive fitnessPathogenic African trypanosomesEndosymbiotic bacteriaFly resistanceTsetse fecundityFemale spermathecaFemale fecundityRNA sequencingLarval developmentSpiroplasmaGene expressionAfrican trypanosomesReproductive tissuesReproductive homeostasisTsetse hostHuman diseasesPopulation sizeProtective phenotypeLab lines
2020
Single-cell RNA sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei from tsetse salivary glands unveils metacyclogenesis and identifies potential transmission blocking antigens
Vigneron A, O'Neill MB, Weiss BL, Savage AF, Campbell OC, Kamhawi S, Valenzuela JG, Aksoy S. Single-cell RNA sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei from tsetse salivary glands unveils metacyclogenesis and identifies potential transmission blocking antigens. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 2613-2621. PMID: 31964820, PMCID: PMC7007551, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914423117.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSingle-cell RNA sequencingRNA sequencingInfectious metacyclic formsMetacyclic parasitesMammalian host environmentFly salivary glandsMajor cell clustersClustering of cellsTsetse salivary glandsFamily proteinsDevelopmental programMammalian hostsMetacyclic cellsProtein transcriptsTrypanosoma bruceiDevelopmental processesGene expressionAfrican trypanosomesExpression profilesMolecular mechanismsSalivary glandsNew hostSurface localizationTrypanosome transmissionMetacyclogenesis
2019
Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes
Attardo GM, Abd-Alla AMM, Acosta-Serrano A, Allen JE, Bateta R, Benoit JB, Bourtzis K, Caers J, Caljon G, Christensen MB, Farrow DW, Friedrich M, Hua-Van A, Jennings EC, Larkin DM, Lawson D, Lehane MJ, Lenis VP, Lowy-Gallego E, Macharia RW, Malacrida AR, Marco HG, Masiga D, Maslen GL, Matetovici I, Meisel RP, Meki I, Michalkova V, Miller WJ, Minx P, Mireji PO, Ometto L, Parker AG, Rio R, Rose C, Rosendale AJ, Rota-Stabelli O, Savini G, Schoofs L, Scolari F, Swain MT, Takáč P, Tomlinson C, Tsiamis G, Van Den Abbeele J, Vigneron A, Wang J, Warren WC, Waterhouse RM, Weirauch MT, Weiss BL, Wilson RK, Zhao X, Aksoy S. Comparative genomic analysis of six Glossina genomes, vectors of African trypanosomes. Genome Biology 2019, 20: 187. PMID: 31477173, PMCID: PMC6721284, DOI: 10.1186/s13059-019-1768-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsDNA Transposable ElementsDrosophila melanogasterFemaleGene Expression RegulationGenes, InsectGenes, X-LinkedGenome, InsectGenomicsGeographyInsect ProteinsInsect VectorsMaleMutagenesis, InsertionalPhylogenyRepetitive Sequences, Nucleic AcidSequence Homology, Amino AcidSyntenyTrypanosomaTsetse FliesWolbachiaConceptsFemale-specific gene expressionMale seminal proteinsSex-linked scaffoldsComparative genomic analysisLow evolutionary ratesVectors of humanSyntenic analysisEvolutionary ratesNovel pestsEvolutionary relationshipsBacterial symbiosisGustatory genesEvolutionary biologyHelicase activityStructural conservationDifferent habitatsSeminal proteinsGenomic analysisHost preferenceX chromosomeDisease control strategiesUnique adaptationsGene expressionAfrican trypanosomesRhodopsin geneColonization of the tsetse fly midgut with commensal Kosakonia cowanii Zambiae inhibits trypanosome infection establishment
Weiss BL, Maltz MA, Vigneron A, Wu Y, Walter KS, O’Neill M, Wang J, Aksoy S. Colonization of the tsetse fly midgut with commensal Kosakonia cowanii Zambiae inhibits trypanosome infection establishment. PLOS Pathogens 2019, 15: e1007470. PMID: 30817773, PMCID: PMC6394900, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007470.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRefractory phenotypeEnormous socio-economic burdenWild-type counterpartsInfection establishmentSocio-economic burdenMidgut environmentEntomopathogenic Serratia marcescensEndemic regionsPathogenic trypanosomesInfectionStable infectionAdverse effectsAnimal African trypanosomiasesVector competenceGutCurrent disease control strategiesSaharan AfricaDisease control strategiesSurvivalSerratia marcescensTsetse gutExogenous bacteriumFly survivalNovel strategyPhenotype
2018
A fine-tuned vector-parasite dialogue in tsetse's cardia determines peritrophic matrix integrity and trypanosome transmission success
Vigneron A, Aksoy E, Weiss BL, Bing X, Zhao X, Awuoche EO, O'Neill MB, Wu Y, Attardo GM, Aksoy S. A fine-tuned vector-parasite dialogue in tsetse's cardia determines peritrophic matrix integrity and trypanosome transmission success. PLOS Pathogens 2018, 14: e1006972. PMID: 29614112, PMCID: PMC5898766, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006972.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Unravelling the relationship between the tsetse fly and its obligate symbiont Wigglesworthia: transcriptomic and metabolomic landscapes reveal highly integrated physiological networks
Bing X, Attardo GM, Vigneron A, Aksoy E, Scolari F, Malacrida A, Weiss BL, Aksoy S. Unravelling the relationship between the tsetse fly and its obligate symbiont Wigglesworthia: transcriptomic and metabolomic landscapes reveal highly integrated physiological networks. Proceedings Of The Royal Society B 2017, 284: 20170360. PMID: 28659447, PMCID: PMC5489720, DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2017.0360.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPeptidoglycan recognition proteinsAfrican trypanosome parasitesTsetse fliesAmino acid metabolismWigglesworthia glossinidiaMultiple metabolic pathwaysObligate endosymbiontsMolecular chaperonesTransport machineryVertebrate bloodMetabolomic landscapeRecognition proteinsSeq analysisSymbiotic dialogueNucleotide biosynthesisAdenosyl methionineBiological functionsSpecialized cellsTsetse survivalTrypanosome parasitesEssential cofactorMetabolic pathwaysNew biological targetsAcid metabolismPhysiological networksHuman African trypanosomiasis control: Achievements and challenges
Aksoy S, Buscher P, Lehane M, Solano P, Van Den Abbeele J. Human African trypanosomiasis control: Achievements and challenges. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2017, 11: e0005454. PMID: 28426685, PMCID: PMC5398477, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005454.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2016
Mammalian African trypanosome VSG coat enhances tsetse’s vector competence
Aksoy E, Vigneron A, Bing X, Zhao X, O'Neill M, Wu YN, Bangs JD, Weiss BL, Aksoy S. Mammalian African trypanosome VSG coat enhances tsetse’s vector competence. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2016, 113: 6961-6966. PMID: 27185908, PMCID: PMC4922192, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1600304113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVariant surface glycoproteinPeritrophic matrixMammalian hostsVector competenceTranscription factor familyMidgut homeostasisTsetse midgutTrypanosome biologyFactor familyPM barrierCoat proteinNovel functionAfrican trypanosomesTsetse vectorInfection processParasite developmentAnimal trypanosomiasesAntigenic variationVSG moleculesVSG coatBiological vectorsMidgutProtozoan parasiteDisease transmissionTsetse flies
2014
Genome Sequence of the Tsetse Fly (Glossina morsitans): Vector of African Trypanosomiasis
Initiative I, Attardo G, Abila P, Auma J, Baumann A, Benoit J, Brelsfoard C, Ribeiro J, Cotton J, Pham D, Darby A, Van Den Abbeele J, Denlinger D, Field L, Nyanjom S, Gaunt M, Geiser D, Gomulski L, Haines L, Hansen I, Jones J, Kibet C, Kinyua J, Larkin D, Lehane M, Rio R, Macdonald S, Macharia R, Malacrida A, Marco H, Marucha K, Masiga D, Meuti M, Mireji P, Obiero G, Koekemoer J, Okoro C, Omedo I, Osamor V, Balyeidhusa A, Peyton J, Price D, Quail M, Ramphul U, Rawlings N, Riehle M, Robertson H, Sanders M, Scott M, Dashti Z, Snyder A, Srivastava T, Stanley E, Swain M, Hughes D, Tarone A, Taylor T, Telleria E, Thomas G, Walshe D, Wilson R, Winzerling J, Acosta-Serrano A, Aksoy S, Arensburger P, Aslett M, Bateta R, Benkahla A, Berriman M, Bourtzis K, Caers J, Caljon G, Christoffels A, Falchetto M, Friedrich M, Fu S, Gäde G, Githinji G, Gregory R, Hall N, Harkins G, Hattori M, Hertz-Fowler C, Hide W, Hu W, Imanishi T, Inoue N, Jonas M, Kawahara Y, Koffi M, Kruger A, Lawson D, Lehane S, Lehväslaiho H, Luiz T, Makgamathe M, Malele I, Manangwa O, Manga L, Megy K, Michalkova V, Mpondo F, Mramba F, Msangi A, Mulder N, Murilla G, Mwangi S, Okedi L, Ommeh S, Ooi C, Ouma J, Panji S, Ravel S, Rose C, Sakate R, Schoofs L, Scolari F, Sharma V, Sim C, Siwo G, Solano P, Stephens D, Suzuki Y, Sze S, Touré Y, Toyoda A, Tsiamis G, Tu Z, Wamalwa M, Wamwiri F, Wang J, Warren W, Watanabe J, Weiss B, Willis J, Wincker P, Zhang Q, Zhou J. Genome Sequence of the Tsetse Fly (Glossina morsitans): Vector of African Trypanosomiasis. Science 2014, 344: 380-386. PMID: 24763584, PMCID: PMC4077534, DOI: 10.1126/science.1249656.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome sequenceLactation-specific proteinsProtein-encoding genesBacterial genome sequencesPathogen recognition proteinsTsetse fliesMicrobial symbiosesTsetse biologyViviparous reproductionGenome dataRecognition proteinsSole vectorsChromosomal integrationDisease vectorsAfrican trypanosomiasisGenomeGenesFliesProteinSequenceMultiple aspectsHuman African trypanosomiasisImportant insightsMultiple discoveriesSymbioses
2012
PGRP-LB is a maternally transmitted immune milk protein that influences symbiosis and parasitism in tsetse’s offspring
Wang J, Aksoy S. PGRP-LB is a maternally transmitted immune milk protein that influences symbiosis and parasitism in tsetse’s offspring. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2012, 109: 10552-10557. PMID: 22689989, PMCID: PMC3387098, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1116431109.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsBlotting, WesternCell LineImmunohistochemistryInsect ProteinsMilk ProteinsSymbiosisTsetse FliesConceptsMother's milkImmune deficiency (IMD) pathwayPGRP-LBHost immune systemImmune system developmentIntrauterine environmentNutritional supplementationDietary supplementationHyperimmune responseImmune systemImpact immunityNewborn progenyParasite infectionAdultsParasitized adultsPeptidoglycan recognition proteinsSuch adultsImmunitySupplementationAntitrypanosomal activityPivotal roleMilkInductionHost fecundityMilk proteinsObligate Symbionts Activate Immune System Development in the Tsetse Fly
Weiss BL, Maltz M, Aksoy S. Obligate Symbionts Activate Immune System Development in the Tsetse Fly. The Journal Of Immunology 2012, 188: 3395-3403. PMID: 22368278, PMCID: PMC3311772, DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103691.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSymbiotic bacteriaImmune system developmentNovel evolutionary adaptationImmunity-related genesObligate symbiontsSymbiotic microbesObligate mutualistsViviparous modeProper immune system functionEvolutionary adaptationPhagocytic hemocytesMolecular mechanismsCell extractsMolecular componentsSusceptible phenotypeNonpathogenic Escherichia coliEscherichia coliTsetse fliesImmune systemFliesAtypical expressionHemocytesImmune system functionPhenotypeTsetse
2011
Wolbachia Symbiont Infections Induce Strong Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in the Tsetse Fly Glossina morsitans
Alam U, Medlock J, Brelsfoard C, Pais R, Lohs C, Balmand S, Carnogursky J, Heddi A, Takac P, Galvani A, Aksoy S. Wolbachia Symbiont Infections Induce Strong Cytoplasmic Incompatibility in the Tsetse Fly Glossina morsitans. PLOS Pathogens 2011, 7: e1002415. PMID: 22174680, PMCID: PMC3234226, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1002415.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTsetse Immune System Maturation Requires the Presence of Obligate Symbionts in Larvae
Weiss BL, Wang J, Aksoy S. Tsetse Immune System Maturation Requires the Presence of Obligate Symbionts in Larvae. PLOS Biology 2011, 9: e1000619. PMID: 21655301, PMCID: PMC3104962, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000619.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntrauterine larvaeBeneficial microbial symbiontsSpecific host phenotypesMilk gland secretionsHost physiological processesCo-evolutionary adaptationMicrobial symbiontsWigglesworthia glossinidiaObligate mutualistsHost phenotypePhysiological processesImmune system homeostasisWigglesworthiaTsetse fliesImportant functionsGland secretionSystem homeostasisFliesGlossina morsitansMutualistsSymbiontsDietary supplementationLarvaeHomeostasisPhenotype
2009
Interactions between mutualist Wigglesworthia and tsetse peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-LB) influence trypanosome transmission
Wang J, Wu Y, Yang G, Aksoy S. Interactions between mutualist Wigglesworthia and tsetse peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-LB) influence trypanosome transmission. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2009, 106: 12133-12138. PMID: 19587241, PMCID: PMC2715537, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0901226106.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsImmune deficiencyPGRP-LBHost immune responsePeptidoglycan recognition proteinsAnti-protozoal activityTsetse's abilityImmune responseInfection susceptibilityHost immunityExpression correlatesNormal adultsInfectionHost susceptibilityAntimicrobial peptidesParasitized adultsTrypanosome infectionAdult tsetseRecognition proteinsLimited exposureAdultsForeign microbesRNA interferencePathway functionActivationSusceptibility
2005
Massive genome erosion and functional adaptations provide insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of Sodalis glossinidius in the tsetse host
Toh H, Weiss BL, Perkin SA, Yamashita A, Oshima K, Hattori M, Aksoy S. Massive genome erosion and functional adaptations provide insights into the symbiotic lifestyle of Sodalis glossinidius in the tsetse host. Genome Research 2005, 16: 149-156. PMID: 16365377, PMCID: PMC1361709, DOI: 10.1101/gr.4106106.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHost developmental stageTemporal expression profilesDifferent temporal expression profilesGenome erosionMutualistic lifestylesGene inventorySymbiont infectionSymbiotic lifestyleHost developmentTranscript abundanceMetabolism of carbohydratesFlagellum structureSodalisComplete sequenceExpression profilesSPI-2SPI-1ChromosomesTsetse hostBacterial speciesVeterinary significancePathogenic microbesDevelopmental stagesPseudogenesTsetse flies
2001
Tsetse immune responses and trypanosome transmission: Implications for the development of tsetse-based strategies to reduce trypanosomiasis
Hao Z, Kasumba I, Lehane M, Gibson W, Kwon J, Aksoy S. Tsetse immune responses and trypanosome transmission: Implications for the development of tsetse-based strategies to reduce trypanosomiasis. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2001, 98: 12648-12653. PMID: 11592981, PMCID: PMC60108, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.221363798.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFat bodyInsect immune systemAntimicrobial peptide genesFat body tissueImmune responsive genesDifferent life stagesTransgenic approachesResponsive genesAntimicrobial genesImmune responseSubtractive cloningPeptide genesAfrican trypanosomesMolecular signalsImmune systemDifferential regulationInfection processLife stagesTrypanosome transmissionParasite transmissionGenesImportant vectorEscherichia coliBiochemical natureDiptericinGenome Size Determination and Coding Capacity of Sodalis glossinidius, an Enteric Symbiont of Tsetse Flies, as Revealed by Hybridization to Escherichia coliGene Arrays
Akman L, Rio R, Beard C, Aksoy S. Genome Size Determination and Coding Capacity of Sodalis glossinidius, an Enteric Symbiont of Tsetse Flies, as Revealed by Hybridization to Escherichia coliGene Arrays. Journal Of Bacteriology 2001, 183: 4517-4525. PMID: 11443086, PMCID: PMC95346, DOI: 10.1128/jb.183.15.4517-4525.2001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGenome sizeLong evolutionary timeGenome size determinationSecondary symbiont SodalisAT-rich genomeConserved gene sequencesWhole genome sequencesTsetse fliesEnteric symbiontsObligate symbiontsOrthologous genesRecent molecular characterizationComparative genomicsMicrobial genomesSymbiotic microorganismsEvolutionary timeTsetse fecundityDNA replicationGenome sequenceGenomic aspectsGenomic contentGene sequencesMolecular basisRelated bacteriaExtrachromosomal plasmids