Drosophila host defense: Differential induction of antimicrobial peptide genes after infection by various classes of microorganisms
Open Access
- 23 December 1997
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Vol. 94 (26) , 14614-14619
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.94.26.14614
Abstract
Insects respond to microbial infection by the rapid and transient expression of several genes encoding potent antimicrobial peptides. Herein we demonstrate that this antimicrobial response of Drosophila is not aspecific but can discriminate between various classes of microorganisms. We first observe that the genes encoding antibacterial and antifungal peptides are differentially expressed after injection of distinct microorganisms. More strikingly, Drosophila that are naturally infected by entomopathogenic fungi exhibit an adapted response by producing only peptides with antifungal activities. This response is mediated through the selective activation of the Toll pathway.Keywords
This publication has 26 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Dorsoventral Regulatory Gene Cassette spätzle/Toll/cactus Controls the Potent Antifungal Response in Drosophila AdultsCell, 1996
- Metchnikowin, a Novel Immune‐Inducible Proline‐Rich Peptide from Drosophila with Antibacterial and Antifungal PropertiesEuropean Journal of Biochemistry, 1995
- Identification of early genes in the Drosophila immune response by PCR-based differential display: the Attacin A gene and the evolution of attacin-like proteinsInsect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 1995
- Innate immunity of insectsCurrent Opinion in Immunology, 1995
- Immune reactions in Drosophila and other insects: a model for innate immunityTrends in Genetics, 1993
- In vitro induction of cecropin genes — an immune response in a Drosophila blood cell lineBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1992
- CecC, a cecropin gene expressed during metamorphosis in Drosophila pupaeEuropean Journal of Biochemistry, 1992
- Dominant and recessive mutations define functional domains of Toll, a transmembrane protein required for dorsal-ventral polarity in the Drosophila embryo.Genes & Development, 1991
- An automated quantitative assay for fungal growth inhibitionFEMS Microbiology Letters, 1990
- Insect Pathogenic Properties of Serratia marcescens: Phage-resistant Mutants with a Decreased Resistance to Cecropia Immunity and a Decreased Virulence to DrosophilaMicrobiology, 1980