News and Events => Science & Medical News => Topic started by: Shana A on January 27, 2010, 01:21:40 PM Return to Full Version
Title: "Sex Puppeteers" Force Sex Change, Virgin Birth in Bugs via Genes
Post by: Shana A on January 27, 2010, 01:21:40 PM
Post by: Shana A on January 27, 2010, 01:21:40 PM
"Sex Puppeteers" Force Sex Change, Virgin Birth in Bugs via Genes
Christine Dell'Amore
National Geographic News
Published January 26, 2010
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100126-sex-puppeteers-wasps-parasites-virgin-birth-sex-changes/ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100126-sex-puppeteers-wasps-parasites-virgin-birth-sex-changes/)
Fast-spreading parasite species force sex changes on their victims, induce virgin births, and turn animals into "gross monsters"—among other horrors.
Now a new study has decoded how the bacteria may be able to wreak their havoc: by shutting down immune systems.
The parasites, of the Wolbachia bacteria genus, cause a gene in wasps to stifle the insect's protein-based "alarms" against the bacterial invaders, say researchers who mapped the genomes of three species of Nasonia wasp for the first time.
Christine Dell'Amore
National Geographic News
Published January 26, 2010
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100126-sex-puppeteers-wasps-parasites-virgin-birth-sex-changes/ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/01/100126-sex-puppeteers-wasps-parasites-virgin-birth-sex-changes/)
Fast-spreading parasite species force sex changes on their victims, induce virgin births, and turn animals into "gross monsters"—among other horrors.
Now a new study has decoded how the bacteria may be able to wreak their havoc: by shutting down immune systems.
The parasites, of the Wolbachia bacteria genus, cause a gene in wasps to stifle the insect's protein-based "alarms" against the bacterial invaders, say researchers who mapped the genomes of three species of Nasonia wasp for the first time.