New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi
Wolbachia spp. are intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods. These bacteria influence reproductive traits in their hosts and are used in mosquito-borne virus control programmes. This study investigates the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), a potential trigge...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000329 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850114261116780544 |
|---|---|
| author | Witchuta Junsiri Piyanan Taweethavonsawat |
| author_facet | Witchuta Junsiri Piyanan Taweethavonsawat |
| author_sort | Witchuta Junsiri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Wolbachia spp. are intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods. These bacteria influence reproductive traits in their hosts and are used in mosquito-borne virus control programmes. This study investigates the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), a potential trigger of innate immune responses. The wsp gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that wsp sequences from Wolbachia endosymbionts of Brugia pahangi and B. malayi formed two clades within the supergroup D. The wsp sequences were highly conserved, with 99–100% sequence identity across global isolates. Haplotype analysis revealed 13 distinct wsp haplotypes. The average antigenic score of the WSP protein was 1.029 for B. malayi and 1.026 for B. pahangi. MHC-NP analysis predicted eight antigen ligands for B. malayi and six for B. pahangi. Notably, a shared antigen ligand (VIADQKHGF) was identified for both species, associated with dog leukocyte antigens (DLA-8850101, DLA-8803401, and DLA-8850801). Additionally, a conserved ligand region (ALVMLLSLSNSAFSD) was identified in the WSP of B. malayi, corresponding to human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DR alleles HLA-DRB1∗04:04 and HLA-DRB1∗04:01). These findings provide new insights into the phylogenetic classification, sequence conservation, and immunogenic potential of the WSP protein in Wolbachia endosymbionts of Brugia spp. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8f00e8b07a694e66a558fbb31c61b81a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2667-114X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-8f00e8b07a694e66a558fbb31c61b81a2025-08-20T02:36:57ZengElsevierCurrent Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases2667-114X2025-01-01710027210.1016/j.crpvbd.2025.100272New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangiWitchuta Junsiri0Piyanan Taweethavonsawat1Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, ThailandParasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Biomarkers in Animals Parasitology Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand; Corresponding author. Parasitology Unit, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.Wolbachia spp. are intracellular, maternally inherited bacteria that infect a wide range of arthropods. These bacteria influence reproductive traits in their hosts and are used in mosquito-borne virus control programmes. This study investigates the Wolbachia surface protein (WSP), a potential trigger of innate immune responses. The wsp gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, cloned, and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis showed that wsp sequences from Wolbachia endosymbionts of Brugia pahangi and B. malayi formed two clades within the supergroup D. The wsp sequences were highly conserved, with 99–100% sequence identity across global isolates. Haplotype analysis revealed 13 distinct wsp haplotypes. The average antigenic score of the WSP protein was 1.029 for B. malayi and 1.026 for B. pahangi. MHC-NP analysis predicted eight antigen ligands for B. malayi and six for B. pahangi. Notably, a shared antigen ligand (VIADQKHGF) was identified for both species, associated with dog leukocyte antigens (DLA-8850101, DLA-8803401, and DLA-8850801). Additionally, a conserved ligand region (ALVMLLSLSNSAFSD) was identified in the WSP of B. malayi, corresponding to human leukocyte antigens (HLA-DR alleles HLA-DRB1∗04:04 and HLA-DRB1∗04:01). These findings provide new insights into the phylogenetic classification, sequence conservation, and immunogenic potential of the WSP protein in Wolbachia endosymbionts of Brugia spp.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000329Wolbachia endosymbiontwsp geneB-cell epitopeT-cell epitopeBrugia |
| spellingShingle | Witchuta Junsiri Piyanan Taweethavonsawat New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi Current Research in Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases Wolbachia endosymbiont wsp gene B-cell epitope T-cell epitope Brugia |
| title | New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi |
| title_full | New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi |
| title_fullStr | New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi |
| title_full_unstemmed | New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi |
| title_short | New insights into the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in Wolbachia endosymbionts in Brugia malayi and Brugia pahangi |
| title_sort | new insights into the genetic diversity phylogeny and immunogenic potential of the wsp gene in wolbachia endosymbionts in brugia malayi and brugia pahangi |
| topic | Wolbachia endosymbiont wsp gene B-cell epitope T-cell epitope Brugia |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667114X25000329 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT witchutajunsiri newinsightsintothegeneticdiversityphylogenyandimmunogenicpotentialofthewspgeneinwolbachiaendosymbiontsinbrugiamalayiandbrugiapahangi AT piyanantaweethavonsawat newinsightsintothegeneticdiversityphylogenyandimmunogenicpotentialofthewspgeneinwolbachiaendosymbiontsinbrugiamalayiandbrugiapahangi |