The striking case of tryptophan provision in the cedar aphid Cinara cedri

J Bacteriol. 2008 Sep;190(17):6026-9. doi: 10.1128/JB.00525-08. Epub 2008 Jun 27.

Abstract

Buchnera aphidicola BCc has lost its symbiotic role as the tryptophan supplier to the aphid Cinara cedri. We report the presence of a plasmid in this endosymbiont that contains the trpEG genes. The remaining genes for the pathway (trpDCBA) are located on the chromosome of the secondary endosymbiont "Candidatus Serratia symbiotica." Thus, we propose that a symbiotic consortium is necessary to provide tryptophan.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aphids / microbiology*
  • Buchnera / genetics
  • Buchnera / metabolism*
  • Buchnera / physiology
  • Genes, Bacterial / genetics
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Symbiosis / genetics
  • Tryptophan / metabolism*

Substances

  • Tryptophan

Associated data

  • GENBANK/EU660486
  • GENBANK/EU660487