Ecophysiology of gut bacteria of leaf beetles Gastrophysa atrocyanea

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25660066
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Applied microbiology
• Research Institution: Tohoku University (2015); Tohoku Gakuin University (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: Wakako Ohtsubo 東北大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 助教 (00598203)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): MIYAGI ATSUKO 埼玉大学, 理工学研究科, 研究員 (00645971)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 腸内フローラ / シュウ酸分解 / 生物農薬 / 昆虫微生物共生系

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We conducted 16S rRNA gene analysis and metagenomic analysis of green dock leaf beetles Gastrophysa atrocyanea and Gastrophysa viridula. Different uncultured groups of Enterobacteriaceae, including genera Rahnella, Pantoea, and Serratia dominated the gut microbiota of each beetle, which reflects the location of correction sites. The metagenomic library contained a gene homolog of oxalate decarboxylase, which may be involved in degradation of oxalate, a major recalcitrant compound in Rumex Obtusifolius that the beetles fed on. The homolog showed the highest identity to those from genomes of Enterobacteriaceae species, which suggests its origin from the gut members dominating the Gastrophysa beetles.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学