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Huang Y, Pang Y, Xu Y, Liu L, Zhou H. The identification of regulatory ceRNA network involved in Drosophila Toll immune responses. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 151:105105. [PMID: 38013113 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2023.105105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs play important roles in the innate immunity of Drosophila, with various lncRNAs and miRNAs identified to maintain Drosophila innate immune homeostasis by regulating protein functions. However, it remains unclear whether interactions between lncRNAs and miRNAs give rise to a ceRNA network. In our previous study, we observed the highest differential expression levels of lncRNA-CR11538, lncRNA-CR33942, and lncRNA-CR46018 in wild-type flies after Gram-positive bacterial infection, prompting us to investigate their role in the regulation of Drosophila Toll immune response through RNA-seq analysis. Herein, our comprehensive bioinformatics analysis revealed that lncRNA-CR11538, lncRNA-CR33942, and lncRNA-CR46018 are involved in defense mechanisms and stimulus response. Moreover, lncRNA-CR11538 and lncRNA-CR46018 can also participate in the metabolic recovery processes following Gram-positive bacterial infection. Subsequently, we employed GSEA screening and RT-qPCR to identify seven miRNAs (miR-957, miR-1015, miR-982, miR-993, miR-1007, miR-193, and miR-978) that may be regulated by these three lncRNAs. Furthermore, we predicted the potential target genes in the Toll signaling pathway for these miRNAs and their interaction with the three lncRNAs using TargetScan and miRanda software and preliminary verification. As a result, we established a potential ceRNA regulatory network for Toll immune responses in Drosophila, comprising three lncRNAs and seven miRNAs. This study provides evidence of a ceRNA regulatory network in Drosophila Toll immune responses and offers novel insights into understanding the regulatory networks involved in the innate immunity of other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Huang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Yujia Pang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yina Xu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Li Liu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Jinling Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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Critchlow JT, Prakash A, Zhong KY, Tate AT. Mapping the functional form of the trade-off between infection resistance and reproductive fitness under dysregulated immune signaling. PLoS Pathog 2024; 20:e1012049. [PMID: 38408106 PMCID: PMC10919860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1012049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune responses benefit organismal fitness by clearing parasites but also exact costs associated with immunopathology and energetic investment. Hosts manage these costs by tightly regulating the induction of immune signaling to curtail excessive responses and restore homeostasis. Despite the theoretical importance of turning off the immune response to mitigate these costs, experimentally connecting variation in the negative regulation of immune responses to organismal fitness remains a frontier in evolutionary immunology. In this study, we used a dose-response approach to manipulate the RNAi-mediated knockdown efficiency of cactus (IκBα), a central regulator of Toll pathway signal transduction in flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum). By titrating cactus activity across four distinct levels, we derived the shape of the relationship between immune response investment and traits associated with host fitness, including infection susceptibility, lifespan, fecundity, body mass, and gut homeostasis. Cactus knock-down increased the overall magnitude of inducible immune responses and delayed their resolution in a dsRNA dose-dependent manner, promoting survival and resistance following bacterial infection. However, these benefits were counterbalanced by dsRNA dose-dependent costs to lifespan, fecundity, body mass, and gut integrity. Our results allowed us to move beyond the qualitative identification of a trade-off between immune investment and fitness to actually derive its functional form. This approach paves the way to quantitatively compare the evolution and impact of distinct regulatory elements on life-history trade-offs and fitness, filling a crucial gap in our conceptual and theoretical models of immune signaling network evolution and the maintenance of natural variation in immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T Critchlow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Arun Prakash
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Katherine Y Zhong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Ann T Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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Critchlow JT, Prakash A, Zhong KY, Tate AT. Mapping the functional form of the trade-off between infection resistance and reproductive fitness under dysregulated immune signaling. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.10.552815. [PMID: 37645726 PMCID: PMC10461925 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.10.552815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Immune responses benefit organismal fitness by clearing parasites but also exact costs associated with immunopathology and energetic investment. Hosts manage these costs by tightly regulating the induction of immune signaling to curtail excessive responses and restore homeostasis. Despite the theoretical importance of turning off the immune response to mitigate these costs, experimentally connecting variation in the negative regulation of immune responses to organismal fitness remains a frontier in evolutionary immunology. In this study, we used a dose-response approach to manipulate the RNAi-mediated knockdown efficiency of cactus (IκBα), a central regulator of Toll pathway signal transduction in flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum). By titrating cactus activity along a continuous gradient, we derived the shape of the relationship between immune response investment and traits associated with host fitness, including infection susceptibility, lifespan, fecundity, body mass, and gut homeostasis. Cactus knock-down increased the overall magintude of inducible immune responses and delayed their resolution in a dsRNA dose-dependent manner, promoting survival and resistance following bacterial infection. However, these benefits were counterbalanced by dsRNA dose-dependent costs to lifespan, fecundity, body mass, and gut integrity. Our results allowed us to move beyond the qualitative identification of a trade-off between immune investment and fitness to actually derive its functional form. This approach paves the way to quantitatively compare the evolution and impact of distinct regulatory elements on life-history trade-offs and fitness, filling a crucial gap in our conceptual and theoretical models of immune signaling network evolution and the maintenance of natural variation in immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin T. Critchlow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Arun Prakash
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Katherine Y. Zhong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Ann T. Tate
- Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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Laureti M, Lee RX, Bennett A, Wilson LA, Sy VE, Kohl A, Dietrich I. Rift Valley Fever Virus Primes Immune Responses in Aedes aegypti Cells. Pathogens 2023; 12:563. [PMID: 37111448 PMCID: PMC10146816 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing global emergence of arthropod-borne (arbo) viruses has accelerated research into the interactions of these viruses with the immune systems of their vectors. Only limited information exists on how bunyaviruses, such as Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), are sensed by mosquito immunity or escape detection. RVFV is a zoonotic phlebovirus (Bunyavirales; Phenuiviridae) of veterinary and human public health and economic importance. We have shown that the infection of mosquitoes with RVFV triggers the activation of RNA interference pathways, which moderately restrict viral replication. Here, we aimed to better understand the interactions between RVFV and other vector immune signaling pathways that might influence RVFV replication and transmission. For this, we used the immunocompetent Aedes aegypti Aag2 cell line as a model. We found that bacteria-induced immune responses restricted RVFV replication. However, virus infection alone did not alter the gene expression levels of immune effectors. Instead, it resulted in the marked enhancement of immune responses to subsequent bacterial stimulation. The gene expression levels of several mosquito immune pattern recognition receptors were altered by RVFV infection, which may contribute to this immune priming. Our findings imply that there is a complex interplay between RVFV and mosquito immunity that could be targeted in disease prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rui-Xue Lee
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Amelia Bennett
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Claverton Down, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Lucas Aladar Wilson
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | | | - Alain Kohl
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
| | - Isabelle Dietrich
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright GU24 0NF, UK
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, 464 Bearsden Road, Glasgow G61 1QH, UK
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Wee JLQ, Murugesan SN, Wheat CW, Monteiro A. The genetic basis of wing spots in Pieris canidia butterflies. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:169. [PMID: 37016295 PMCID: PMC10074818 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09261-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Spots in pierid butterflies and eyespots in nymphalid butterflies are likely non-homologous wing colour pattern elements, yet they share a few features in common. Both develop black scales that depend on the function of the gene spalt, and both might have central signalling cells. This suggests that both pattern elements may be sharing common genetic circuitry. Hundreds of genes have already been associated with the development of nymphalid butterfly eyespot patterns, but the genetic basis of the simpler spot patterns on the wings of pierid butterflies has not been investigated. To facilitate studies of pierid wing patterns, we report a high-quality draft genome assembly for Pieris canidia, the Indian cabbage white. We then conducted transcriptomic analyses of pupal wing tissues sampled from the spot and non-spot regions of P. canidia at 3-6 h post-pupation. A total of 1352 genes were differentially regulated between wing tissues with and without the black spot, including spalt, Krüppel-like factor 10, genes from the Toll, Notch, TGF-β, and FGFR signalling pathways, and several genes involved in the melanin biosynthetic pathway. We identified 14 genes that are up-regulated in both pierid spots and nymphalid eyespots and propose that spots and eyespots share regulatory modules despite their likely independent origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn Liang Qi Wee
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | - Suriya Narayanan Murugesan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore.
| | | | - Antónia Monteiro
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore, 117543, Singapore
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Sneed SD, Dwivedi SB, DiGate C, Denecke S, Povelones M. Aedes aegypti Malpighian tubules are immunologically activated following systemic Toll activation. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:469. [PMID: 36522779 PMCID: PMC9753289 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05567-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canine heartworm is a widespread and potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease caused by infections with the parasitic nematode, Dirofilaria immitis. We have previously shown that systemic activation of the Toll immune pathway via silencing of the negative regulator Cactus in Aedes aegypti blocks parasite development in the Malpighian tubules (MT), the mosquito renal organ. However, it was not established whether the MT were directly responding to Toll activation or were alternatively responding to upregulated proteins or other changes to the hemolymph driven by other tissues. Distinguishing these possibilities is crucial for developing more precise strategies to block D. immitis while potentially avoiding the fitness cost to the mosquito associated with Cactus silencing. METHODS This study defines the transcriptional response of the MT and changes to the hemolymph proteome of Ae. aegypti after systemic Toll activation via intra-thoracic injection of double-stranded Cactus (dsCactus) RNA. RESULTS Malpighian tubules significantly increased expression of the Toll pathway target genes that significantly overlapped expression changes occurring in whole mosquitoes. A significant overlap between the transcriptional response of the MT and proteins upregulated in the hemolymph was also observed. CONCLUSIONS Our data show that MT are capable of RNA interference-mediated gene silencing and directly respond to dsCactus treatment by upregulating targets of the canonical Toll pathway. Although not definitive, the strong correspondence between the MT transcriptional response and the hemolymph proteomic responses provides evidence that the MT may contribute to mosquito humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D. Sneed
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Sutopa B. Dwivedi
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Cameron DiGate
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Shane Denecke
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
| | - Michael Povelones
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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Lu MY, Chtarbanova S. The role of micro RNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation of Drosophila melanogaster's innate immunity. Fly (Austin) 2022; 16:382-396. [PMID: 36412256 PMCID: PMC9683055 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2022.2149204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs ~19-22 nt long which post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Their ability to exhibit dynamic expression patterns coupled with their wide variety of targets allows miRNAs to regulate many processes, including the innate immune response of Drosophila melanogaster. Recent studies have identified miRNAs in Drosophila which are differentially expressed during infection with different pathogens as well as miRNAs that may affect immune signalling when differentially expressed. This review provides an overview of miRNAswhich have been identified to play a role in the immune response of Drosophila through targeting of the Toll and IMD signalling pathways and other immune processes. It will also explore the role of miRNAs in fine-tuning the immune response in Drosophila and highlight current gaps in knowledge regarding the role of miRNAs in immunity and areas for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Yang Lu
- Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
| | - Stanislava Chtarbanova
- Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA,Center for Convergent Bioscience & Medicine, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA,Alabama Life Research Institute, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA,CONTACT Stanislava Chtarbanova Department of Biological Sciences, the University of Alabama, 300, Hackberry Ln, Tuscaloosa, AL-35487, USA
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Yu S, Luo F, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Jin LH. Drosophila Innate Immunity Involves Multiple Signaling Pathways and Coordinated Communication Between Different Tissues. Front Immunol 2022; 13:905370. [PMID: 35911716 PMCID: PMC9336466 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.905370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The innate immune response provides the first line of defense against invading pathogens, and immune disorders cause a variety of diseases. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster employs multiple innate immune reactions to resist infection. First, epithelial tissues function as physical barriers to prevent pathogen invasion. In addition, macrophage-like plasmatocytes eliminate intruders through phagocytosis, and lamellocytes encapsulate large particles, such as wasp eggs, that cannot be phagocytosed. Regarding humoral immune responses, the fat body, equivalent to the mammalian liver, secretes antimicrobial peptides into hemolymph, killing bacteria and fungi. Drosophila has been shown to be a powerful in vivo model for studying the mechanism of innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions because Drosophila and higher organisms share conserved signaling pathways and factors. Moreover, the ease with which Drosophila genetic and physiological characteristics can be manipulated prevents interference by adaptive immunity. In this review, we discuss the signaling pathways activated in Drosophila innate immunity, namely, the Toll, Imd, JNK, JAK/STAT pathways, and other factors, as well as relevant regulatory networks. We also review the mechanisms by which different tissues, including hemocytes, the fat body, the lymph gland, muscles, the gut and the brain coordinate innate immune responses. Furthermore, the latest studies in this field are outlined in this review. In summary, understanding the mechanism underlying innate immunity orchestration in Drosophila will help us better study human innate immunity-related diseases.
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Hegde S, Sreejan A, Gadgil CJ, Ratnaparkhi GS. SUMOylation of Dorsal attenuates Toll/NF-κB signaling. Genetics 2022; 221:iyac081. [PMID: 35567478 PMCID: PMC9252280 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
In Drosophila, Toll/NF-κB signaling plays key roles in both animal development and in host defense. The activation, intensity, and kinetics of Toll signaling are regulated by posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation, SUMOylation, or ubiquitination that target multiple proteins in the Toll/NF-κB cascade. Here, we have generated a CRISPR-Cas9 edited Dorsal (DL) variant that is SUMO conjugation resistant. Intriguingly, embryos laid by dlSCR mothers overcome dl haploinsufficiency and complete the developmental program. This ability appears to be a result of higher transcriptional activation by DLSCR. In contrast, SUMOylation dampens DL transcriptional activation, ultimately conferring robustness to the dorso-ventral program. In the larval immune response, dlSCR animals show an increase in crystal cell numbers, stronger activation of humoral defense genes, and high cactus levels. A mathematical model that evaluates the contribution of the small fraction of SUMOylated DL (1-5%) suggests that it acts to block transcriptional activation, which is driven primarily by DL that is not SUMO conjugated. Our findings define SUMO conjugation as an important regulator of the Toll signaling cascade, in both development and host defense. Our results broadly suggest that SUMO attenuates DL at the level of transcriptional activation. Furthermore, we hypothesize that SUMO conjugation of DL may be part of a Ubc9-dependent mechanism that restrains Toll/NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha Hegde
- Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Pune 411008, India
| | - Ashley Sreejan
- Chemical Engineering and Process Development Division, CSIR—National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India
| | - Chetan J Gadgil
- Chemical Engineering and Process Development Division, CSIR—National Chemical Laboratory, Pune 411008, India
- CSIR—Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, New Delhi 110020, India
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Moure UAE, Tan T, Sha L, Lu X, Shao Z, Yang G, Wang Y, Cui H. Advances in the Immune Regulatory Role of Non-Coding RNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) in Insect-Pathogen Interactions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:856457. [PMID: 35464405 PMCID: PMC9020863 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.856457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects are by far the most abundant and diverse living organisms on earth and are frequently prone to microbial attacks. In other to counteract and overcome microbial invasions, insects have in an evolutionary way conserved and developed immune defense mechanisms such as Toll, immune deficiency (Imd), and JAK/STAT signaling pathways leading to the expression of antimicrobial peptides. These pathways have accessory immune effector mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, encapsulation, melanization, nodulation, RNA interference (RNAi), lysis, autophagy, and apoptosis. However, pathogens evolved strategies that circumvent host immune response following infections, which may have helped insects further sophisticate their immune response mechanisms. The involvement of ncRNAs in insect immunity is undeniable, and several excellent studies or reviews have investigated and described their roles in various insects. However, the functional analyses of ncRNAs in insects upon pathogen attacks are not exhaustive as novel ncRNAs are being increasingly discovered in those organisms. This article gives an overview of the main insect signaling pathways and effector mechanisms activated by pathogen invaders and summarizes the latest findings of the immune modulation role of both insect- and pathogen-encoded ncRNAs, especially miRNAs and lncRNAs during insect–pathogen crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrich Aymard Ekomi Moure
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tingshan Tan
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Lin Sha
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Lu
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi Shao
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Southwest University, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China.,Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Ninth People's Hospital of Chongqing, Chongqing, China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory of Sericultural Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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Ding X, Li Z, Lin G, Li W, Xue L. Toll-7 promotes tumour growth and invasion in Drosophila. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13188. [PMID: 35050535 PMCID: PMC8828261 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Drosophila melanogaster has become an excellent model organism to explore the genetic mechanisms underlying tumour progression. Here, by using well‐established Drosophila tumour models, we identified Toll‐7 as a novel regulator of tumour growth and invasion. Materials and methods Transgenic flies and genetic epistasis analysis were used. All flies were raised on a standard cornmeal and agar medium at 25°C unless otherwise indicated. Immunostaining and RT‐qPCR were performed by standard procedures. Images were taken by OLYMPUS BX51 microscope and Zeiss LSM 880 confocal microscope. Adobe Photoshop 2020 and Zeiss Zen were used to analyse the images. All results were presented in Scatter plots or Column bar graphs created by GraphPad Prism 8.0. Results Loss of Toll‐7 suppresses RasV12/lgl−/−‐induced tumour growth and invasion, as well as cell polarity disruption‐induced invasive cell migration, whereas expression of a constitutively active allele of Toll‐7 is sufficient to promote tumorous growth and cell migration. In addition, the Egr‐JNK signalling is necessary and sufficient for Toll‐7‐induced invasive cell migration. Mechanistically, Toll‐7 facilitates the endocytosis of Egr, which is known to activate JNK in the early endosomes. Moreover, Toll‐7 activates the EGFR‐Ras signalling, which cooperates with the Egr‐JNK signalling to promote Yki‐mediated cell proliferation and tissue overgrowth. Finally, Toll‐7 is necessary and sufficient for the proper maintenance of EGFR protein level. Conclusions Our findings characterized Toll‐7 as a proto‐oncogene that promotes tumour growth and invasion in Drosophila, which shed light on the pro‐tumour function of mammalian Toll‐like receptors (TLRs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ding
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuojie Li
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gufa Lin
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzhe Li
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Xue
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Zhuhai Precision Medical Center, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Zhuhai Hospital Affiliated with Jinan University, Zhuhai, China
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12
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Bae YM, Jo YH, Patnaik BB, Kim BB, Park KB, Edosa TT, Keshavarz M, Kojour MAM, Lee YS, Han YS. Tenebrio molitor Spätzle 1b Is Required to Confer Antibacterial Defense Against Gram-Negative Bacteria by Regulation of Antimicrobial Peptides. Front Physiol 2021; 12:758859. [PMID: 34867464 PMCID: PMC8637286 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.758859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immunity is the ultimate line of defense against invading pathogens in insects. Unlike in the mammalian model, in the insect model, invading pathogens are recognized by extracellular receptors, which activate the Toll signaling pathway through an extracellular serine protease cascade. In the Toll-NF-κB pathway, the extracellular spätzle protein acts as a downstream ligand for Toll receptors in insects. In this study, we identified a novel Spätzle isoform (TmSpz1b) from RNA sequencing database of Tenebrio molitor. TmSpz1b was bioinformatically analyzed, and functionally characterized for the antimicrobial function by RNA interference (RNAi). The 702 bp open reading frame of TmSpz1b encoded a putative protein of 233 amino acid residues. A conserved cystine-knot domain with seven cysteine residues in TmSpz1b was involved in three disulfide bridges and the formation of a spätzle dimer. TmSpz1b was mostly expressed in the hemocytes of T. molitor late instar larvae. The mRNA expression of TmSpz1b was highly induced in the hemocytes after Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans stimulation of T. molitor larvae. TmSpz1b silenced larvae were significantly more susceptible to E. coli infection. In addition, RNAi-based functional assay characterized TmSpz1b to be involved in the positive regulation of antimicrobial peptide genes in hemocytes and fat bodies. Further, the TmDorX2 transcripts were downregulated in TmSpz1b silenced individuals upon E. coli challenge suggesting the relationship to Toll signaling pathway. These results indicate that TmSpz1b is involved in the T. molitor innate immunity, causes the sequestration of Gram-negative bacteria by the regulatory action of antimicrobial peptides, and enhances the survival of T. molitor larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Min Bae
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Yong Hun Jo
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Bharat Bhusan Patnaik
- Department of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, India
| | - Bo Bae Kim
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Ki Beom Park
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Tariku Tesfaye Edosa
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.,Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ambo Agricultural Research Center, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Maryam Keshavarz
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea.,Department of Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biology-Zoology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maryam Ali Mohammadie Kojour
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Yong Seok Lee
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Soonchunhyang University, Asan, South Korea
| | - Yeon Soo Han
- Department of Applied Biology, Institute of Environmentally-Friendly Agriculture (IEFA), College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, South Korea
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13
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Zhou H, Ni J, Wu S, Ma F, Jin P, Li S. lncRNA-CR46018 positively regulates the Drosophila Toll immune response by interacting with Dif/Dorsal. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 124:104183. [PMID: 34174242 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Toll signaling pathway is highly conserved from insects to mammals. Drosophila is a model species that is commonly used to study innate immunity. Although many studies have assessed protein-coding genes that regulate the Toll pathway, it is unclear whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play regulatory roles in the Toll pathway. Here, we evaluated the expression of the lncRNA CR46018 in Drosophila. Our results showed that this lncRNA was significantly overexpressed after infection of Drosophila with Micrococcus luteus. A CR46018-overexpressing Drosophila strain was then constructed; we expected that CR46018 overexpression would enhance the expression of various antimicrobial peptides downstream of the Toll pathway, regardless of infection with M. luteus. RNA-seq analysis of CR46018-overexpressing Drosophila after infection with M. luteus showed that upregulated genes were mainly enriched in Toll and Imd signaling pathways. Moreover, bioinformatics predictions and RNA-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that CR46018 interacted with the transcription factors Dif and Dorsal to enhance the Toll pathway. During gram-positive bacterial infection, flies overexpressing CR46018 showed favorable survival compared with flies in the control group. Overall, our current work not only reveals a new immune regulatory factor, lncRNA-CR46018, and explores its potential regulatory model, but also provides a new perspective for the effect of immune disorders on the survival of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Jiajia Ni
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Shanshan Wu
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, PR China.
| | - Shengjie Li
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Construction Laboratory of Special Biomass Byproduct Resource Utilization, School of Food Science, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University, Nanjing, 211171, PR China.
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14
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Nunes C, Koyama T, Sucena É. Co-option of immune effectors by the hormonal signalling system triggering metamorphosis in Drosophila melanogaster. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009916. [PMID: 34843450 PMCID: PMC8659296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect metamorphosis is triggered by the production, secretion and degradation of 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysone). In addition to its role in developmental regulation, increasing evidence suggests that ecdysone is involved in innate immunity processes, such as phagocytosis and the induction of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production. AMP regulation includes systemic responses as well as local responses at surface epithelia that contact with the external environment. At pupariation, Drosophila melanogaster increases dramatically the expression of three AMP genes, drosomycin (drs), drosomycin-like 2 (drsl2) and drosomycin-like 5 (drsl5). We show that the systemic action of drs at pupariation is dependent on ecdysone signalling in the fat body and operates via the ecdysone downstream target, Broad. In parallel, ecdysone also regulates local responses, specifically through the activation of drsl2 expression in the gut. Finally, we confirm the relevance of this ecdysone dependent AMP expression for the control of bacterial load by showing that flies lacking drs expression in the fat body have higher bacterial persistence over metamorphosis. In contrast, local responses may be redundant with the systemic effect of drs since reduction of ecdysone signalling or of drsl2 expression has no measurable negative effect on bacterial load control in the pupa. Together, our data emphasize the importance of the association between ecdysone signalling and immunity using in vivo studies and establish a new role for ecdysone at pupariation, which impacts developmental success by regulating the immune system in a stage-dependent manner. We speculate that this co-option of immune effectors by the hormonal system may constitute an anticipatory mechanism to control bacterial numbers in the pupa, at the core of metamorphosis evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Nunes
- Evolution and Development Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Takashi Koyama
- Section for Cell and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Élio Sucena
- Evolution and Development Laboratory, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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15
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Tang R, Huang W, Guan J, Liu Q, Beerntsen BT, Ling E. Drosophila H2Av negatively regulates the activity of the IMD pathway via facilitating Relish SUMOylation. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009718. [PMID: 34370736 PMCID: PMC8376203 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Insects depend on the innate immune response for defense against a wide array of pathogens. Central to Drosophila immunity are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), released into circulation when pathogens trigger either of the two widely studied signal pathways, Toll or IMD. The Toll pathway responds to infection by Gram-positive bacteria and fungi while the IMD pathway is activated by Gram-negative bacteria. During activation of the IMD pathway, the NF-κB-like transcription factor Relish is phosphorylated and then cleaved, which is crucial for IMD-dependent AMP gene induction. Here we show that loss-of-function mutants of the unconventional histone variant H2Av upregulate IMD-dependent AMP gene induction in germ-free Drosophila larvae and adults. After careful dissection of the IMD pathway, we found that Relish has an epistatic relationship with H2Av. In the H2Av mutant larvae, SUMOylation is down-regulated, suggesting a possible role of SUMOylation in the immune phenotype. Eventually we demonstrated that Relish is mostly SUMOylated on amino acid K823. Loss of the potential SUMOylation site leads to significant auto-activation of Relish in vivo. Further work indicated that H2Av regulates Relish SUMOylation after physically interacting with Su(var)2-10, the E3 component of the SUMOylation pathway. Biochemical analysis suggested that SUMOylation of Relish prevents its cleavage and activation. Our findings suggest a new mechanism by which H2Av can negatively regulate, and thus prevent spontaneous activation of IMD-dependent AMP production, through facilitating SUMOylation of the NF-κB like transcription factor Relish. Toll and IMD signaling pathways should be involved in the production of antimicrobial peptides in animals upon infection. Immunity responses are energy consuming. Thus, these two pathways are fine-tuned. Animal H2A variant histones are involved in many physiological functions. In Drosophila, the production of antibacterial peptides is out of control in the mutant of H2A variant (H2Av810). After careful examination, we found that Relish, the transcription factor of the IMD pathway, was activated in this mutant. Eventually we demonstrate that Relish can be SUMOylated with the involvement of H2Av. Loss of the main SUMOylation site in Relish induces it to auto-activate following over-expression. Therefore, H2Av is a negative regulator of the IMD signaling pathway by maintaining the normal level of Relish SUMOylation in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijuan Tang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wuren Huang
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Guan
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuning Liu
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng, China
| | - Brenda T. Beerntsen
- Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Erjun Ling
- Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental and Evolutionary Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Genomics, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, The Innovative Academy of Seed Design, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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16
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Schneider J, Imler JL. Sensing and signalling viral infection in drosophila. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 117:103985. [PMID: 33358662 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster is a valuable model to unravel mechanisms of innate immunity, in particular in the context of viral infections. RNA interference, and more specifically the small interfering RNA pathway, is a major component of antiviral immunity in drosophila. In addition, the contribution of inducible transcriptional responses to the control of viruses in drosophila and other invertebrates is increasingly recognized. In particular, the recent discovery of a STING-IKKβ-Relish signalling cassette in drosophila has confirmed that NF-κB transcription factors play an important role in the control of viral infections, in addition to bacterial and fungal infections. Here, we review recent developments in the field, which begin to shed light on the mechanisms involved in sensing of viral infections and in signalling leading to production of antiviral effectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliette Schneider
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Luc Imler
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS UPR9022, Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Strasbourg, France; Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China.
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17
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Cattenoz PB, Monticelli S, Pavlidaki A, Giangrande A. Toward a Consensus in the Repertoire of Hemocytes Identified in Drosophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:643712. [PMID: 33748138 PMCID: PMC7969988 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.643712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The catalog of the Drosophila immune cells was until recently limited to three major cell types, based on morphology, function and few molecular markers. Three recent single cell studies highlight the presence of several subgroups, revealing a large diversity in the molecular signature of the larval immune cells. Since these studies rely on somewhat different experimental and analytical approaches, we here compare the datasets and identify eight common, robust subgroups associated to distinct functions such as proliferation, immune response, phagocytosis or secretion. Similar comparative analyses with datasets from different stages and tissues disclose the presence of larval immune cells resembling embryonic hemocyte progenitors and the expression of specific properties in larval immune cells associated with peripheral tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre B. Cattenoz
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Sara Monticelli
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Alexia Pavlidaki
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Angela Giangrande
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1258, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
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18
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Sharma V, Mutsuddi M, Mukherjee A. Deltex positively regulates Toll signaling in a JNK independent manner in Drosophila. Genes Cells 2021; 26:254-263. [PMID: 33555648 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.12837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Toll pathway is the center for the function of immune system in both Drosophila and mammals. Toll pathway in Drosophila gets activated upon binding of the ligand Spätzle to the receptor, Toll, triggering a series of proteolytic cascade culminating into the activation of the NF-κB factors Dorsal and/or Dif (Dorsal-related immunity factor). Inappropriate activation of the Toll pathway is often associated with systemic inflammation phenotype in the absence of infection, and thus, it is important to understand the regulation of Toll signaling. Deltex (Dx) is a context-dependent regulator of Notch signaling and has been linked with cell-mediated immunity in the mammalian system lately. However, the unambiguous role of Dx in humoral and cell-mediated immunity is yet to be explored. Our study unravels the novel role of Dx in Toll pathway activation. Gain of function of dx in Drosophila larvae results in increased melanotic mass formation and increased lamellocyte production. Our results also reveal the nuclear accumulation of transcription factors Dorsal and Dif and expression of Toll-associated antimicrobial peptides (AMP) in Dx over-expression background. Further, we also tried to elucidate the role of Dx in JNK-independent Toll activation. Here we present Dx as a novel candidate in the regulation of Toll pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vartika Sharma
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Mousumi Mutsuddi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Ashim Mukherjee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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19
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Gautam DK, Chimata AV, Gutti RK, Paddibhatla I. Comparative hematopoiesis and signal transduction in model organisms. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:5592-5619. [PMID: 33492678 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a continuous phenomenon involving the formation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) giving rise to diverse functional blood cells. This developmental process of hematopoiesis is evolutionarily conserved, yet comparably different in various model organisms. Vertebrate HSCs give rise to all types of mature cells of both the myeloid and the lymphoid lineages sequentially colonizing in different anatomical tissues. Signal transduction in HSCs facilitates their potency and specifies branching of lineages. Understanding the hematopoietic signaling pathways is crucial to gain insights into their deregulation in several blood-related disorders. The focus of the review is on hematopoiesis corresponding to different model organisms and pivotal role of indispensable hematopoietic pathways. We summarize and discuss the fundamentals of blood formation in both invertebrate and vertebrates, examining the requirement of key signaling nexus in hematopoiesis. Knowledge obtained from such comparative studies associated with developmental dynamics of hematopoiesis is beneficial to explore the therapeutic options for hematopoietic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dushyant Kumar Gautam
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences (SLS), University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Ravi Kumar Gutti
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences (SLS), University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Indira Paddibhatla
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences (SLS), University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
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20
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Drosophila Hox genes induce melanized pseudo-tumors when misexpressed in hemocytes. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1838. [PMID: 33469139 PMCID: PMC7815749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81472-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hox genes are early determinants of cell identity along the anterior–posterior body axis across bilaterians. Several late non-homeotic functions of Hox genes have emerged in a variety of processes involved in organogenesis in several organisms, including mammals. Several studies have reported the misexpression of Hox genes in a variety of malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia. The Hox genes Dfd, Ubx, abd-A and Abd-B were overexpressed via the UAS-Gal4 system using Cg-Gal4, Lsp2-Gal4, He-Gal4 and HmlD3-Gal4 as specific drivers. Genetic interaction was tested by bringing overexpression lines in heterozygous mutant backgrounds of Polycomb and trithorax group factors. Larvae were visually scored for melanized bodies. Circulating hemocytes were quantified and tested for differentiation. Pupal lethality was assessed. Expression of Dfd, Ubx and abd-A, but not Abd-B in the hematopoietic compartment of Drosophila led to the appearance of circulating melanized bodies, an increase in cell number, cell-autonomous proliferation, and differentiation of hemocytes. Pupal lethality and melanized pseudo-tumors were suppressed in Psc1 and esc2 backgrounds while polycomb group member mutations Pc1 and Su(z)123 and trithorax group member mutation TrlR85 enhanced the phenotype. Dfd, Ubx and abd-A are leukemogenic. Mutations in Polycomb and trithorax group members modulate the leukemogenic phenotype. Our RNAseq of Cg-Gal4 > UAS-abd-A hemocytes may contain genes important to Hox gene induced leukemias.
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21
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DeAngelis MW, Coolon JD, Johnson RI. Comparative transcriptome analyses of the Drosophila pupal eye. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2021; 11:5995320. [PMID: 33561221 PMCID: PMC8043229 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Tissue function is dependent on correct cellular organization and behavior. As a result, the identification and study of genes that contribute to tissue morphogenesis is of paramount importance to the fields of cell and developmental biology. Many of the genes required for tissue patterning and organization are highly conserved between phyla. This has led to the emergence of several model organisms and developmental systems that are used to study tissue morphogenesis. One such model is the Drosophila melanogaster pupal eye that has a highly stereotyped arrangement of cells. In addition, the pupal eye is postmitotic that allows for the study of tissue morphogenesis independent from any effects of proliferation. While the changes in cell morphology and organization that occur throughout pupal eye development are well documented, less is known about the corresponding transcriptional changes that choreograph these processes. To identify these transcriptional changes, we dissected wild-type Canton S pupal eyes and performed RNA-sequencing. Our analyses identified differential expression of many loci that are documented regulators of pupal eye morphogenesis and contribute to multiple biological processes including signaling, axon projection, adhesion, and cell survival. We also identified differential expression of genes not previously implicated in pupal eye morphogenesis such as components of the Toll pathway, several non-classical cadherins, and components of the muscle sarcomere, which could suggest these loci function as novel patterning factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles W DeAngelis
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Joseph D Coolon
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
| | - Ruth I Johnson
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, 52 Lawn Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459, USA
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22
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Li R, Yao X, Zhou H, Jin P, Ma F. The Drosophila miR-959-962 Cluster Members Repress Toll Signaling to Regulate Antibacterial Defense during Bacterial Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020886. [PMID: 33477373 PMCID: PMC7831006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of ~22 nt non-coding RNA molecules in metazoans capable of down-regulating target gene expression by binding to the complementary sites in the mRNA transcripts. Many individual miRNAs are implicated in a broad range of biological pathways, but functional characterization of miRNA clusters in concert is limited. Here, we report that miR-959-962 cluster (miR-959/960/961/962) can weaken Drosophila immune response to bacterial infection evidenced by the reduced expression of antimicrobial peptide Drosomycin (Drs) and short survival within 24 h upon infection. Each of the four miRNA members is confirmed to contribute to the reduced Drs expression and survival rate of Drosophila. Mechanically, RT-qPCR and Dual-luciferase reporter assay verify that tube and dorsal (dl) mRNAs, key components of Toll pathway, can simultaneously be targeted by miR-959 and miR-960, miR-961, and miR-962, respectively. Furthermore, miR-962 can even directly target to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of Toll. In addition, the dynamic expression pattern analysis in wild-type flies reveals that four miRNA members play important functions in Drosophila immune homeostasis restoration at the late stage of Micrococcus luteus (M. luteus) infection. Taken together, our results identify four miRNA members from miR-959-962 cluster as novel suppressors of Toll signaling and enrich the repertoire of immune-modulating miRNA in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ping Jin
- Correspondence: (P.J.); (F.M.); Tel.: +86-25-85891852 (P.J.); +86-25-85891852 (F.M.)
| | - Fei Ma
- Correspondence: (P.J.); (F.M.); Tel.: +86-25-85891852 (P.J.); +86-25-85891852 (F.M.)
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23
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Immune mechanism in silkworm Bombyx mori L. METHODS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mim.2021.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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24
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Bai L, Zhou K, Li H, Qin Y, Wang Q, Li W. Bacteria-induced IMD-Relish-AMPs pathway activation in Chinese mitten crab. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 106:866-875. [PMID: 32889097 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The innate immune response is an important line of defense against invading pathogens in invertebrates. Signaling pathways, including the IMD pathway, play critical roles in the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which induce the transcription of immune effectors that protect against bacterial invasion. In the present study, the cDNA of IMD from Eriocheir sinensis was cloned (designated EsIMD) and shown to be significantly upregulated following Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial infection. In vivo and in vitro studies collectively suggested that both the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio parahemolyticus and the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis elicit the translocation of Relish. Moreover, EsIMD positively regulated EsRelish translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus following stimulation with both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. EsRelish knockdown in hemocytes significantly suppressed AMPs' expression. Furthermore, both Lys-type and DAP-type peptidoglycan-containing bacteria activated the IMD pathway and elicited antibacterial responses in crab. Conclusively, these findings demonstrate that both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria activate IMD signaling, via a mechanism that is distinct with that by which Gram-negative bacteria activate IMD signaling in Drosophila. These findings might pave the way for a better understanding of the innate immune system and the fundamental network of the IMD signaling pathway in crustacean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwei Bai
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Immunological Defense & Reproductive Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Kaimin Zhou
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Immunological Defense & Reproductive Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Hao Li
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Immunological Defense & Reproductive Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Yukai Qin
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Immunological Defense & Reproductive Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Qun Wang
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Immunological Defense & Reproductive Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Weiwei Li
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Immunological Defense & Reproductive Biology, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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25
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Wang JX, Vasta GR. Introduction to special issue: Pattern recognition receptors and their roles in immunity in invertebrates. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 109:103712. [PMID: 32302603 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Xing Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Gerardo R Vasta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, and Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Al Outa A, Abubaker D, Madi J, Nasr R, Shirinian M. The Leukemic Fly: Promises and Challenges. Cells 2020; 9:E1737. [PMID: 32708107 PMCID: PMC7409271 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia involves different types of blood cancers, which lead to significant mortality and morbidity. Murine models of leukemia have been instrumental in understanding the biology of the disease and identifying therapeutics. However, such models are time consuming and expensive in high throughput genetic and drug screening. Drosophilamelanogaster has emerged as an invaluable in vivo model for studying different diseases, including cancer. Fruit flies possess several hematopoietic processes and compartments that are in close resemblance to their mammalian counterparts. A number of studies succeeded in characterizing the fly's response upon the expression of human leukemogenic proteins in hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tissues. Moreover, some of these studies showed that these models are amenable to genetic screening. However, none were reported to be tested for drug screening. In this review, we describe the Drosophila hematopoietic system, briefly focusing on leukemic diseases in which fruit flies have been used. We discuss myeloid and lymphoid leukemia fruit fly models and we further highlight their roles for future therapeutic screening. In conclusion, fruit fly leukemia models constitute an interesting area which could speed up the process of integrating new therapeutics when complemented with mammalian models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amani Al Outa
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Dana Abubaker
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Joelle Madi
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Rihab Nasr
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Margret Shirinian
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
- Center for Infectious Diseases Research, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
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27
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Schomburg C, Turetzek N, Prpic NM. Candidate gene screen for potential interaction partners and regulatory targets of the Hox gene labial in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum. Dev Genes Evol 2020; 230:105-120. [PMID: 32036446 PMCID: PMC7128011 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-020-00656-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Hox gene labial (lab) governs the formation of the tritocerebral head segment in insects and spiders. However, the morphology that results from lab action is very different in the two groups. In insects, the tritocerebral segment (intercalary segment) is reduced and lacks appendages, whereas in spiders the corresponding segment (pedipalpal segment) is a proper segment including a pair of appendages (pedipalps). It is likely that this difference between lab action in insects and spiders is mediated by regulatory targets or interacting partners of lab. However, only a few such genes are known in insects and none in spiders. We have conducted a candidate gene screen in the spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum using as candidates Drosophila melanogaster genes known to (potentially) interact with lab or to be expressed in the intercalary segment. We have studied 75 P. tepidariorum genes (including previously published and duplicated genes). Only 3 of these (proboscipedia-A (pb-A) and two paralogs of extradenticle (exd)) showed differential expression between leg and pedipalp. The low success rate points to a weakness of the candidate gene approach when it is applied to lineage specific organs. The spider pedipalp has no counterpart in insects, and therefore relying on insect data apparently cannot identify larger numbers of factors implicated in its specification and formation. We argue that in these cases a de novo approach to gene discovery might be superior to the candidate gene approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Schomburg
- Institut für Allgemeine Zoologie und Entwicklungsbiologie, AG Zoologie mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Natascha Turetzek
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Lehrstuhl für Evolutionäre Ökologie, Biozentrum II, Großhadernerstraße 2, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nikola-Michael Prpic
- Institut für Allgemeine Zoologie und Entwicklungsbiologie, AG Zoologie mit dem Schwerpunkt Molekulare Entwicklungsbiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 38, 35392, Gießen, Germany.
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28
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Shin M, Cha N, Koranteng F, Cho B, Shim J. Subpopulation of Macrophage-Like Plasmatocytes Attenuates Systemic Growth via JAK/STAT in the Drosophila Fat Body. Front Immunol 2020; 11:63. [PMID: 32082322 PMCID: PMC7005108 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila hemocytes, like those of mammals, are given rise from two distinctive phases during both the embryonic and larval hematopoiesis. Embryonically derived hemocytes, mostly composed of macrophage-like plasmatocytes, are largely identified by genetic markers. However, the cellular diversity and distinct functions of possible subpopulations within plasmatocytes have not been explored in Drosophila larvae. Here, we show that larval plasmatocytes exhibit differential expressions of Hemolectin (Hml) and Peroxidasin (Pxn) during development. Moreover, removal of plasmatocytes by overexpressing pro-apoptotic genes, hid and reaper in Hml-positive plasmatocytes, feeding high sucrose diet, or wasp infestation results in increased circulating hemocytes that are Hml-negative. Interestingly these Hml-negative plasmatocytes retain Pxn expression, and animals expressing Hml-negative and Pxn-positive subtype largely attenuate growth and abrogate metabolism. Furthermore, elevated levels of a cytokine, unpaired 3, are detected when Hml-positive hemocytes are ablated, which in turn activates JAK/STAT activity in several tissues including the fat body. Finally, we observed that insulin signaling is inhibited in this background, which can be recovered by concurrent loss of upd3. Overall, this study highlights heterogeneity in Drosophila plasmatocytes and a functional plasticity of each subtype, which reaffirms extension of their role beyond immunity into metabolic regulation for cooperatively maintaining internal homeostatic balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyu Shin
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Nuri Cha
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ferdinand Koranteng
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bumsik Cho
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jiwon Shim
- Department of Life Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Institute for Natural Science, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
- Research Institute for Convergence of Basic Sciences, College of Natural Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, South Korea
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29
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Schloop AE, Bandodkar PU, Reeves GT. Formation, interpretation, and regulation of the Drosophila Dorsal/NF-κB gradient. Curr Top Dev Biol 2019; 137:143-191. [PMID: 32143742 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2019.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The morphogen gradient of the transcription factor Dorsal in the early Drosophila embryo has become one of the most widely studied tissue patterning systems. Dorsal is a Drosophila homolog of mammalian NF-κB and patterns the dorsal-ventral axis of the blastoderm embryo into several tissue types by spatially regulating upwards of 100 zygotic genes. Recent studies using fluorescence microscopy and live imaging have quantified the Dorsal gradient and its target genes, which has paved the way for mechanistic modeling of the gradient. In this review, we describe the mechanisms behind the initiation of the Dorsal gradient and its regulation of target genes. The main focus of the review is a discussion of quantitative and computational studies of the Dl gradient system, including regulation of the Dl gradient. We conclude with a discussion of potential future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison E Schloop
- Genetics Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Prasad U Bandodkar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
| | - Gregory T Reeves
- Genetics Program, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States.
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30
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Li R, Huang Y, Zhang Q, Zhou H, Jin P, Ma F. The miR-317 functions as a negative regulator of Toll immune response and influences Drosophila survival. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 95:19-27. [PMID: 30708026 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2018] [Revised: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The miR-317 has been revealed to involve in the reproductive response and the larval ovary morphogenesis of Drosophila. However, whether the miR-317 can also regulate Drosophila innate immune responses, which remains unclear to date. Here we have verified that miR-317 can directly target the 3'UTR of Dif-Rc to down-regulate the expression levels of AMP Drs to negatively control Drosophila Toll immune response in vivo and vitro. Specially, the Dif is an important transcription factor of Toll pathway with four transcripts (Dif-Ra, Dif-Rb, Dif-Rc and Dif-Rd). Our results show that miR-317 only targets to Dif-Rc, but not Dif-Ra/b/d, implying that miRNAs can regulate different isoforms of an alternative splicing gene to fine tune immune responses and maintain homeostasis in post-transcriptional level. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the miR-317 sponge can restore the expression levels of Drs and Dif-Rc at mRNA and protein levels. Remarkably, during Gram-positive bacterial infection, the overexpressed miR-317 flies have poor survival outcome, whereas the knockout miR-317 flies have favorable survival compared to the control group, respectively, suggesting that the miR-317 might play a key role in Drosophila survival. Taken together, our current works not only reveal an innate immune function and a novel regulation pattern of miR-317, but also provide a new insight into the underlying molecular mechanisms of immunity disorder influencing on Drosophila survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruimin Li
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Hongjian Zhou
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210046, China.
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31
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Dudzic JP, Hanson MA, Iatsenko I, Kondo S, Lemaitre B. More Than Black or White: Melanization and Toll Share Regulatory Serine Proteases in Drosophila. Cell Rep 2019; 27:1050-1061.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.03.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 12/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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32
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Banerjee U, Girard JR, Goins LM, Spratford CM. Drosophila as a Genetic Model for Hematopoiesis. Genetics 2019; 211:367-417. [PMID: 30733377 PMCID: PMC6366919 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.300223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this FlyBook chapter, we present a survey of the current literature on the development of the hematopoietic system in Drosophila The Drosophila blood system consists entirely of cells that function in innate immunity, tissue integrity, wound healing, and various forms of stress response, and are therefore functionally similar to myeloid cells in mammals. The primary cell types are specialized for phagocytic, melanization, and encapsulation functions. As in mammalian systems, multiple sites of hematopoiesis are evident in Drosophila and the mechanisms involved in this process employ many of the same molecular strategies that exemplify blood development in humans. Drosophila blood progenitors respond to internal and external stress by coopting developmental pathways that involve both local and systemic signals. An important goal of these Drosophila studies is to develop the tools and mechanisms critical to further our understanding of human hematopoiesis during homeostasis and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Utpal Banerjee
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Juliet R Girard
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Lauren M Goins
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Carrie M Spratford
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095
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33
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Green N, Walker J, Bontrager A, Zych M, Geisbrecht ER. A tissue communication network coordinating innate immune response during muscle stress. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.217943. [PMID: 30478194 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.217943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Complex tissue communication networks function throughout an organism's lifespan to maintain tissue homeostasis. Using the genetic model Drosophila melanogaster, we have defined a network of immune responses that are activated following the induction of muscle stresses, including hypercontraction, detachment and oxidative stress. Of these stressors, loss of the genes that cause muscle detachment produced the strongest levels of JAK-STAT activation. In one of these mutants, fondue (fon), we also observe hemocyte recruitment and the accumulation of melanin at muscle attachment sites (MASs), indicating a broad involvement of innate immune responses upon muscle detachment. Loss of fon results in pathogen-independent Toll signaling in the fat body and increased expression of the Toll-dependent antimicrobial peptide Drosomycin. Interestingly, genetic interactions between fon and various Toll pathway components enhance muscle detachment. Finally, we show that JAK-STAT and Toll signaling are capable of reciprocal activation in larval tissues. We propose a model of tissue communication for the integration of immune responses at the local and systemic level in response to altered muscle physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Green
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Justin Walker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Alexandria Bontrager
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Molly Zych
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Erika R Geisbrecht
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
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34
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Abhyankar V, Kaduskar B, Kamat SS, Deobagkar D, Ratnaparkhi GS. Drosophila DNA/RNA methyltransferase contributes to robust host defense in aging animals by regulating sphingolipid metabolism. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.187989. [PMID: 30254027 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.187989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila methyltransferase (Mt2) has been implicated in the methylation of both DNA and tRNA. In this study, we demonstrate that loss of Mt2 activity leads to an age-dependent decline of immune function in the adult fly. A newly eclosed adult has mild immune defects that are exacerbated in a 15 day old Mt2-/- fly. The age-dependent effects appear to be systemic, including disturbances in lipid metabolism, changes in cell shape of hemocytes and significant fold-changes in levels of transcripts related to host defense. Lipid imbalance, as measured by quantitative lipidomics, correlates with immune dysfunction, with high levels of immunomodulatory lipids, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramides, along with low levels of storage lipids. Activity assays on fly lysates confirm the age-dependent increase in S1P and concomitant reduction of S1P lyase activity. We hypothesize that Mt2 functions to regulate genetic loci such as S1P lyase and this regulation is essential for robust host defense as the animal ages. Our study uncovers novel links between age--dependent Mt2 function, innate immune response and lipid homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varada Abhyankar
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Bhagyashree Kaduskar
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Pune 411008, India
| | - Siddhesh S Kamat
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Pune 411008, India
| | - Deepti Deobagkar
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India .,Center of Advanced Studies, Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411007, India
| | - Girish S Ratnaparkhi
- Department of Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER), Pune 411008, India
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35
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NF-kappaB: Two Sides of the Same Coin. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9010024. [PMID: 29315242 PMCID: PMC5793177 DOI: 10.3390/genes9010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor family that regulates a large number of genes that are involved in important physiological processes, including survival, inflammation, and immune responses. More recently, constitutive expression of NF-κB has been associated with several types of cancer. In addition, microorganisms, such as viruses and bacteria, cooperate in the activation of NF-κB in tumors, confirming the multifactorial role of this transcription factor as a cancer driver. Recent reports have shown that the NF-κB signaling pathway should receive attention for the development of therapies. In addition to the direct effects of NF-κB in cancer cells, it might also impact immune cells that can both promote or prevent tumor development. Currently, with the rise of cancer immunotherapy, the link among immune cells, inflammation, and cancer is a major focus, and NF-κB could be an important regulator for the success of these therapies. This review discusses the contrasting roles of NF-κB as a regulator of pro- and antitumor processes and its potential as a therapeutic target.
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36
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Del Signore SJ, Biber SA, Lehmann KS, Heimler SR, Rosenfeld BH, Eskin TL, Sweeney ST, Rodal AA. dOCRL maintains immune cell quiescence by regulating endosomal traffic. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007052. [PMID: 29028801 PMCID: PMC5656325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lowe Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by eye, kidney, and neurological pathologies, and is caused by mutations in the phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphatase OCRL. OCRL plays diverse roles in endocytic and endolysosomal trafficking, cytokinesis, and ciliogenesis, but it is unclear which of these cellular functions underlie specific patient symptoms. Here, we show that mutation of Drosophila OCRL causes cell-autonomous activation of hemocytes, which are macrophage-like cells of the innate immune system. Among many cell biological defects that we identified in docrl mutant hemocytes, we pinpointed the cause of innate immune cell activation to reduced Rab11-dependent recycling traffic and concomitantly increased Rab7-dependent late endosome traffic. Loss of docrl amplifies multiple immune-relevant signals, including Toll, Jun kinase, and STAT, and leads to Rab11-sensitive mis-sorting and excessive secretion of the Toll ligand Spåtzle. Thus, docrl regulation of endosomal traffic maintains hemocytes in a poised, but quiescent state, suggesting mechanisms by which endosomal misregulation of signaling may contribute to symptoms of Lowe syndrome. Lowe syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by severe kidney, eye, and neurological symptoms, and is caused by mutations in the gene OCRL. OCRL has been shown to control many steps of packaging and transport of materials within cells, though it remains unclear which of these disrupted transport steps cause each of the many symptoms in Lowe syndrome patients. We found that in fruit flies, loss of OCRL caused transport defects at specific internal compartments in innate immune cells, resulting in amplification of multiple critical inflammatory signals. Similar inflammatory signals have been implicated in forms of epilepsy, which is a primary symptom in Lowe syndrome patients. Thus, our work uncovers a new function for OCRL in animals, and opens an exciting new avenue of investigation into how loss of OCRL causes the symptoms of Lowe syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Del Signore
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah A. Biber
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Katherine S. Lehmann
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephanie R. Heimler
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Benjamin H. Rosenfeld
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tania L. Eskin
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sean T. Sweeney
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Avital A. Rodal
- Rosenstiel Basic Medical Sciences Research Center, Department of Biology, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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37
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Sun JJ, Xu S, He ZH, Shi XZ, Zhao XF, Wang JX. Activation of Toll Pathway Is Different between Kuruma Shrimp and Drosophila. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1151. [PMID: 28979261 PMCID: PMC5611483 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The Toll pathway is essential for inducing an immune response to defend against bacterial invasion in vertebrates and invertebrates. Although Toll receptors and the transcription factor Dorsal were identified in different shrimp, relatively little is known about how the Toll pathway is activated or the function of the pathway in shrimp antibacterial immunity. In this study, three Tolls (Toll1–3) and the Dorsal were identified in Marsupenaeus japonicus. The Toll pathway can be activated by Gram-positive (G+) and Gram-negative (G−) bacterial infection. Unlike Toll binding to Spätzle in Drosophila, shrimp Tolls could directly bind to pathogen-associated molecular patterns from G+ and G− bacteria, resulting in Dorsal translocation into nucleus to regulate the expression of different antibacterial peptides (AMPs) in the clearance of infected bacteria. These findings suggest that shrimp Tolls are pattern recognition receptors and the Toll pathway in shrimp is different from the Drosophila Toll pathway but identical with the mammalian Toll-like receptor pathway in its activation and antibacterial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Jie Sun
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Sen Xu
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhong-Hua He
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiu-Zhen Shi
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiao-Fan Zhao
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Jin-Xing Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Cells and Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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A Genetic Screen Reveals an Unexpected Role for Yorkie Signaling in JAK/STAT-Dependent Hematopoietic Malignancies in Drosophila melanogaster. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017; 7:2427-2438. [PMID: 28620086 PMCID: PMC5555452 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.044172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
A gain-of-function mutation in the tyrosine kinase JAK2 (JAK2V617F) causes human myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). These patients present with high numbers of myeloid lineage cells and have numerous complications. Since current MPN therapies are not curative, there is a need to find new regulators and targets of Janus kinase/Signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling that may represent additional clinical interventions . Drosophila melanogaster offers a low complexity model to study MPNs as JAK/STAT signaling is simplified with only one JAK [Hopscotch (Hop)] and one STAT (Stat92E). hopTumorous-lethal(Tum-l) is a gain-of-function mutation that causes dramatic expansion of myeloid cells, which then form lethal melanotic tumors. Through an F1 deficiency (Df) screen, we identified 11 suppressors and 35 enhancers of melanotic tumors in hopTum-l animals. Dfs that uncover the Hippo (Hpo) pathway genes expanded (ex) and warts (wts) strongly enhanced the hopTum-l tumor burden, as did mutations in ex, wts, and other Hpo pathway genes. Target genes of the Hpo pathway effector Yorkie (Yki) were significantly upregulated in hopTum-l blood cells, indicating that Yki signaling was increased. Ectopic hematopoietic activation of Yki in otherwise wild-type animals increased hemocyte proliferation but did not induce melanotic tumors. However, hematopoietic depletion of Yki significantly reduced the hopTum-l tumor burden, demonstrating that Yki is required for melanotic tumors in this background. These results support a model in which elevated Yki signaling increases the number of hemocytes, which become melanotic tumors as a result of elevated JAK/STAT signaling.
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Bap180/Baf180 is required to maintain homeostasis of intestinal innate immune response in Drosophila and mice. Nat Microbiol 2017; 2:17056. [DOI: 10.1038/nmicrobiol.2017.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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40
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TmCactin plays an important role in Gram-negative and -positive bacterial infection by regulating expression of 7 AMP genes in Tenebrio molitor. Sci Rep 2017; 7:46459. [PMID: 28418029 PMCID: PMC5394457 DOI: 10.1038/srep46459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cactin was originally identified as an interactor of the Drosophila IκB factor Cactus and shown to play a role in controlling embryonic polarity and regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. While subsequent studies have identified the roles for Cactin in the mammalian immune response, the immune function of Cactin in insects has not been described yet. Here, we identified a Cactin gene from the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (TmCactin) and characterized its functional role in innate immunity. TmCactin was highly expressed in prepupa to last instar stages, and its expression was high in the integument and Malpighian tubules of last instar larvae and adults. TmCactin was induced in larvae after infection with different pathogens and detectable within 3 hours of infection. The highest levels of TmCactin expression were detected at 9 hours post infection. TmCactin RNAi significantly decreased the survival rates of larvae after challenge with Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but had no significant effect after challenge with Candida albicans. Furthermore, TmCactin RNAi significantly reduced the expression of seven antimicrobial peptide genes (AMPs) after bacterial challenge. Our results suggest that TmCactin may serve as an important regulator of innate immunity, mediating AMP responses against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in T. molitor.
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Grigorian M, DeBruhl H, Lipsick JS. The role of variant histone H2AV in Drosophila melanogaster larval hematopoiesis. Development 2017; 144:1441-1449. [PMID: 28242611 DOI: 10.1242/dev.142729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Replication-independent histone variants can replace the canonical replication-dependent histones. Vertebrates have multiple H2A variant histones, including H2AZ and H2AX that are present in most eukaryotes. H2AZ regulates transcriptional activation as well as the maintenance of gene silencing, while H2AX is important in DNA damage repair. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has only one histone H2A variant (H2AV), which is a chimera of H2AZ and H2AX. In this study we found that lack of H2AV led to the formation of black melanotic masses in Drosophila third instar larvae. The formation of these masses was found in conjunction with a loss of the majority of the primary lymph gland lobes. Interestingly, the cells of the posterior signaling center were preserved in these mutants. Reduction of H2AV levels by RNAi knockdown caused a milder phenotype that preserved the lymph gland structure but that included precocious differentiation of the prohemocytes located within the medullary zone and the secondary lobes of the lymph gland. Mutant rescue experiments suggest that the H2AZ-like rather than the H2AX-like function of H2AV is primarily required for normal hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melina Grigorian
- Departments of Pathology, Genetics, and Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5323, USA
| | - Heather DeBruhl
- Departments of Pathology, Genetics, and Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5323, USA
| | - Joseph S Lipsick
- Departments of Pathology, Genetics, and Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5323, USA
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Troutwine BR, Ghezzi A, Pietrzykowski AZ, Atkinson NS. Alcohol resistance in Drosophila is modulated by the Toll innate immune pathway. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 15:382-94. [PMID: 26916032 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has shown that alcohol alters the activity of the innate immune system and that changes in innate immune system activity can influence alcohol-related behaviors. Here, we show that the Toll innate immune signaling pathway modulates the level of alcohol resistance in Drosophila. In humans, a low level of response to alcohol is correlated with increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder. The Toll signaling pathway was originally discovered in, and has been extensively studied in Drosophila. The Toll pathway is a major regulator of innate immunity in Drosophila, and mammalian Toll-like receptor signaling has been implicated in alcohol responses. Here, we use Drosophila-specific genetic tools to test eight genes in the Toll signaling pathway for effects on the level of response to ethanol. We show that increasing the activity of the pathway increases ethanol resistance whereas decreasing the pathway activity reduces ethanol resistance. Furthermore, we show that gene products known to be outputs of innate immune signaling are rapidly induced following ethanol exposure. The interaction between the Toll signaling pathway and ethanol is rooted in the natural history of Drosophila melanogaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- B R Troutwine
- Department of Neuroscience, The Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - A Ghezzi
- Department of Neuroscience, The Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - A Z Pietrzykowski
- The Biologically Inspired Neural & Dynamical Systems (BINDS) Lab, Department of Computer Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - N S Atkinson
- Department of Neuroscience, The Waggoner Center for Alcohol and Addiction Research, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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de Mendonça Amarante A, Jupatanakul N, de Abreu da Silva IC, Carneiro VC, Vicentino ARR, Dimopolous G, Talyuli OAC, Fantappié MR. The DNA chaperone HMGB1 potentiates the transcriptional activity of Rel1A in the mosquito Aedes aegypti. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 80:32-41. [PMID: 27867076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 11/16/2016] [Accepted: 11/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
High Mobility Group protein 1 (HMGB1) is a non-histone, chromatin-associated nuclear protein that functions in regulating eukaryotic gene expression. We investigated the influence and mechanism of action of Aedes aegypti HMGB1 (AaHMGB1) on mosquito Rel1A-mediated transcription from target gene promoters. The DNA-binding domain (RHD) of AaRel1A was bacterially expressed and purified, and AaHMGB1 dramatically enhanced RHD binding to consensus NF-kB/Rel DNA response elements. Luciferase reporter analyses using a cecropin gene promoter showed that AaHMGB1 potentiates the transcriptional activity of AaRel1A in Aag-2 cells. Moreover, overexpression of AaHMGB1 in Aag-2 cells led to an increase in mRNA levels of antimicrobial peptide genes. In vitro GST pull-down assays revealed that the presence of DNA is a pre-requisite for assembly of a possible ternary complex containing DNA, AaHMGB1 and AaRel1A. Notably, DNA bending by AaHMGB1 enhanced the binding of AaRel1A to a DNA fragment containing a putative NF-kB/Rel response element. Importantly, AaHMGB1 was identified as a potential immune modulator in A. aegypti through AaHMGB1 overexpression or RNAi silencing in Aag-2 cells followed by bacterial challenge or through AaHMGB1 RNAi knockdown in mosquitoes followed by Dengue virus (DENV) infection. We propose a model in which AaHMGB1 bends NF-kB/Rel target DNA to recruit and allow more efficient AaRel1A binding to activate transcription of effector genes, culminating in a stronger Toll pathway-mediated response against DENV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson de Mendonça Amarante
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Natapong Jupatanakul
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, United States
| | - Isabel Caetano de Abreu da Silva
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vitor Coutinho Carneiro
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Amanda Roberta Revoredo Vicentino
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - George Dimopolous
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, United States
| | - Octávio Augusto C Talyuli
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Rosado Fantappié
- Instituto de Bioquímica Médica Leopoldo de Meis, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Entomologia Molecular, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Bergman P, Seyedoleslami Esfahani S, Engström Y. Drosophila as a Model for Human Diseases—Focus on Innate Immunity in Barrier Epithelia. Curr Top Dev Biol 2017; 121:29-81. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2016.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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45
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Zhang G, Hao Y, Jin LH. Overexpression of jumu induces melanotic nodules by activating Toll signaling in Drosophila. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 77:31-38. [PMID: 27507244 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanotic nodules are commonly assumed to be caused by an abnormal immune response. Several hematopoietic mutants and signaling pathways, including the Toll, JAK/STAT, Ras and JNK pathways, can cause melanotic nodules to develop when specifically activated in hemocytes. Here, we used the UAS-Gal4 system to overexpress jumeaux (jumu) in the fly immune response system. Jumeaux (Jumu) is a new member of the winged-helix/forkhead (WH/FKH) gene family of transcription factors, which plays an important role in the growth and morphogenesis of Drosophila and participates in the proliferation and differentiation of hemocytes. Overexpressing jumu in both hemocytes and the fat body generated many melanotic nodules in larvae and adult flies. The nodules observed in the fat body were surrounded by large numbers of blood cells through a process that appeared similar to foreign body encapsulation. This phenomenon is caused by Toll pathway activation and leads to blood cells deposited in the fat body. In addition, we also report the dissociation of fat cells and the abnormal proliferation and differentiation of blood cells. These results suggest a Jumu-mediated crosstalk between hematopoiesis and the fat body, especially during the Toll-dependent formation of melanotic nodules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoqun Zhang
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yangguang Hao
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Li Hua Jin
- Department of Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
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The Friend of GATA Transcriptional Co-Regulator, U-Shaped, Is a Downstream Antagonist of Dorsal-Driven Prohemocyte Differentiation in Drosophila. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155372. [PMID: 27163255 PMCID: PMC4862636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies suggest that mammalian hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) respond directly to infection and inflammatory signaling. These signaling pathways also regulate HSPCs during steady-state conditions (absence of infection), and dysregulation may lead to cancer or age-related loss of progenitor repopulation capacity. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a major class of pathogen recognition receptors, and are expressed on the surface of immune effector cells and HSPCs. TLR/NF-κB activation promotes HSPCs differentiation; however, the mechanisms by which this signaling pathway alters the intrinsic transcriptional landscape are not well understood. Although Drosophila prohemocytes are the functional equivalent of mammalian HSPCs, a prohemocyte-specific function for Toll signaling has not been reported. Using Drosophila transgenics, we identified prohemocyte-specific roles for Toll pathway members, Dorsal and Cactus. We showed that Dorsal is required to limit the size of the progenitor pool. Additionally, we showed that activation of Toll signaling in prohemocytes drives differentiation in a manner that is analogous to TLR/NF-κB-driven HSPC differentiation. This was accomplished by showing that over-expression of Dorsal, or knockdown of Cactus, promotes differentiation. We also investigated whether Dorsal and Cactus control prohemocyte differentiation by regulating a key intrinsic prohemocyte factor, U-shaped (Ush), which is known to promote multipotency and block differentiation. We showed that Dorsal repressed Ush expression levels to promote differentiation, whereas Cactus maintained Ush levels to block differentiation. Additionally, we showed that another Toll antagonist, Lesswright, also maintained the level of Ush to block differentiation and promote proliferative quiescence. Collectively, these results identify a novel role for Ush as a downstream target of Toll signaling.
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Abstract
Several signaling pathways, including the JAK/STAT and Toll pathways, are known to activate blood cells (hemocytes) in Drosophila melanogaster larvae. They are believed to regulate the immune response against infections by parasitoid wasps, such as Leptopilina boulardi, but how these pathways control the hemocytes is not well understood. Here, we discuss the recent discovery that both muscles and fat body take an active part in this response. Parasitoid wasp infection induces Upd2 and Upd3 secretion from hemocytes, leading to JAK/STAT activation mainly in hemocytes and in skeletal muscles. JAK/STAT activation in muscles, but not in hemocytes, is required for an efficient encapsulation of wasp eggs. This suggests that Upd2 and Upd3 are important cytokines, coordinating different tissues for the cellular immune response in Drosophila. In the fat body, Toll signaling initiates a systemic response in which hemocytes are mobilized and activated hemocytes (lamellocytes) are generated. However, the contribution of Toll signaling to the defense against wasps is limited, probably because the wasps inject inhibitors that prevent the activation of the Toll pathway. In conclusion, parasite infection induces a systemic response in Drosophila larvae involving major organ systems and probably the physiology of the entire organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairu Yang
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden
| | - Dan Hultmark
- a Department of Molecular Biology , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden.,b BioMediTech, University of Tampere , Tampere , Finland
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Wu C, Chen C, Dai J, Zhang F, Chen Y, Li W, Pastor-Pareja JC, Xue L. Toll pathway modulates TNF-induced JNK-dependent cell death in Drosophila. Open Biol 2016. [PMID: 26202785 PMCID: PMC4632500 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.140171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Signalling networks that control the life or death of a cell are of central interest in modern biology. While the defined roles of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in regulating cell death have been well-established, additional factors that modulate JNK-mediated cell death have yet to be fully elucidated. To identify novel regulators of JNK-dependent cell death, we performed a dominant-modifier screen in Drosophila and found that the Toll pathway participates in JNK-mediated cell death. Loss of Toll signalling suppresses ectopically and physiologically activated JNK signalling-induced cell death. Our epistasis analysis suggests that the Toll pathway acts as a downstream modulator for JNK-dependent cell death. In addition, gain of JNK signalling results in Toll pathway activation, revealed by stimulated transcription of Drosomycin (Drs) and increased cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation of Dorsal. Furthermore, the Spätzle (Spz) family ligands for the Toll receptor are transcriptionally upregulated by activated JNK signalling in a non-cell-autonomous manner, providing a molecular mechanism for JNK-induced Toll pathway activation. Finally, gain of Toll signalling exacerbates JNK-mediated cell death and promotes cell death independent of caspases. Thus, we have identified another important function for the evolutionarily conserved Toll pathway, in addition to its well-studied roles in embryonic dorso-ventral patterning and innate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxi Wu
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Changyan Chen
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianli Dai
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Medical Science Building, D224, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujun Chen
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenzhe Li
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - José Carlos Pastor-Pareja
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Medical Science Building, D224, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Xue
- Institute of Intervention Vessel, Shanghai 10th People's Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Road, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
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Lin CJ, Smibert P, Zhao X, Hu JF, Ramroop J, Kellner SM, Benton MA, Govind S, Dedon PC, Sternglanz R, Lai EC. An extensive allelic series of Drosophila kae1 mutants reveals diverse and tissue-specific requirements for t6A biogenesis. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2015; 21:2103-2118. [PMID: 26516084 PMCID: PMC4647464 DOI: 10.1261/rna.053934.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
N(6)-threonylcarbamoyl-adenosine (t6A) is one of the few RNA modifications that is universally present in life. This modification occurs at high frequency at position 37 of most tRNAs that decode ANN codons, and stabilizes cognate anticodon-codon interactions. Nearly all genetic studies of the t6A pathway have focused on single-celled organisms. In this study, we report the isolation of an extensive allelic series in the Drosophila ortholog of the core t6A biosynthesis factor Kae1. kae1 hemizygous larvae exhibit decreases in t6A that correlate with allele strength; however, we still detect substantial t6A-modified tRNAs even during the extended larval phase of null alleles. Nevertheless, complementation of Drosophila Kae1 and other t6A factors in corresponding yeast null mutants demonstrates that these metazoan genes execute t6A synthesis. Turning to the biological consequences of t6A loss, we characterize prominent kae1 melanotic masses and show that they are associated with lymph gland overgrowth and ectopic generation of lamellocytes. On the other hand, kae1 mutants exhibit other phenotypes that reflect insufficient tissue growth. Interestingly, whole-tissue and clonal analyses show that strongly mitotic tissues such as imaginal discs are exquisitely sensitive to loss of kae1, whereas nonproliferating tissues are less affected. Indeed, despite overt requirements of t6A for growth of many tissues, certain strong kae1 alleles achieve and sustain enlarged body size during their extended larval phase. Our studies highlight tissue-specific requirements of the t6A pathway in a metazoan context and provide insights into the diverse biological roles of this fundamental RNA modification during animal development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Jung Lin
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Peter Smibert
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Xiaoyu Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
| | - Jennifer F Hu
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Johnny Ramroop
- Department of Biology, The City College of the City University of New York, New York 10031, USA The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Stefanie M Kellner
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Matthew A Benton
- Research School of Biological Sciences, The Australian National University, Acton ACT 2601, Australia
| | - Shubha Govind
- Department of Biology, The City College of the City University of New York, New York 10031, USA The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York 10016, USA
| | - Peter C Dedon
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Rolf Sternglanz
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
| | - Eric C Lai
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, New York 10065, USA
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50
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Stevanovic AL, Arnold PA, Johnson KN. Wolbachia-mediated antiviral protection in Drosophila larvae and adults following oral infection. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:8215-23. [PMID: 26407882 PMCID: PMC4651092 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02841-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding viral dynamics in arthropods is of great importance when designing models to describe how viral spread can influence arthropod populations. The endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia spp., which is present in up to 40% of all insect species, has the ability to alter viral dynamics in both Drosophila spp. and mosquitoes, a feature that in mosquitoes may be utilized to limit spread of important arboviruses. To understand the potential effect of Wolbachia on viral dynamics in nature, it is important to consider the impact of natural routes of virus infection on Wolbachia antiviral effects. Using adult Drosophila strains, we show here that Drosophila-Wolbachia associations that have previously been shown to confer antiviral protection following systemic viral infection also confer protection against virus-induced mortality following oral exposure to Drosophila C virus in adults. Interestingly, a different pattern was observed when the same fly lines were challenged with the virus when still larvae. Analysis of the four Drosophila-Wolbachia associations that were protective in adults indicated that only the w1118-wMelPop association conferred protection in larvae following oral delivery of the virus. Analysis of Wolbachia density using quantitative PCR (qPCR) showed that a high Wolbachia density was congruent with antiviral protection in both adults and larvae. This study indicates that Wolbachia-mediated protection may vary between larval and adult stages of a given Wolbachia-host combination and that the variations in susceptibility by life stage correspond with Wolbachia density. The differences in the outcome of virus infection are likely to influence viral dynamics in Wolbachia-infected insect populations in nature and could also have important implications for the transmission of arboviruses in mosquito populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksej L Stevanovic
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Pieter A Arnold
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karyn N Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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