據(jù)10月30日的《科學(xué)》雜志報(bào)道,，昆蟲的某種特別細(xì)菌的感染可以保護(hù)這些昆蟲免受一大批RNA病毒的侵害,。
研究人員說，這一發(fā)現(xiàn)可能對未來在人群中減少昆蟲傳播的疾病有幫助,。在一篇Brevium中, Lauren Hedges及其同僚顯示,，Wolbachia 細(xì)菌感染可在許多昆蟲中具有抗病毒的效果，而這種細(xì)菌可在線蟲類,、甲殼類,、節(jié)肢類動物及許多其它類的昆蟲中找到。
研究人員用蠅類來證明當(dāng)這些蠅類昆蟲感染了多種致死性的RNA病毒時(shí),，蠅類昆蟲的Wolbachia 感染可延緩其死亡的發(fā)生,。這一死亡的延遲與病毒在Wolbachia-感染的蠅類昆蟲體內(nèi)的積聚相對應(yīng)，而這種相關(guān)性可能表明蠅類體內(nèi)的這種細(xì)菌具有一種正面的選擇性優(yōu)勢,。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推薦原始出處：
Science 31 October 2008: DOI: 10.1126/science.1162418
Wolbachia and Virus Protection in Insects
Lauren M. Hedges, Jeremy C. Brownlie, Scott L. O'Neill, Karyn N. Johnson*
Wolbachia pipientis bacteria are common endosymbionts of insects that are best known for their ability to increase their prevalence in populations by manipulating host reproductive systems. However, there are examples of Wolbachia that exist in nature that seem to induce no reproductive parasitism trait and yet are able to invade populations. We demonstrate a fitness benefit for Wolbachia-infected insects that may explain this paradox. Drosophila melanogaster flies infected with Wolbachia are less susceptible to mortality induced by a range of RNA viruses. The antiviral protection associated with Wolbachia infection might be exploited in future strategies to reduce transmission of pathogens by insects.
School of Integrative Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia.
