Differential immunohistochemical visualization of the primary and secondary intracellular symbiotic bacteria of aphids

Abstract

In order to analyze the complex endosymbiotic system of aphids, immunohistochemical double staining was conducted using anti-GroEL and anti-GroES polyclonal antibodies. By this method, primary and secondary intracellular symbiotic bacteria were vividly differentiated by color on the same tissue sections of disymbiotic species from diverse aphid taxa. The primary symbionts were detected with anti-GroEL antiserum in pink while the secondary symbionts were stained with anti-GroES antiserum in dark brown. On account of its wide applicability, and high selectivity and resolution, this method will be a useful tool in investigating the nature, origin and dynamic evolution of the endosymbiotic system in aphids.