Genome-wide phenotypic insights into mycobacterial virulence using Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila) is one of the most extensively studied animal models we have, with a broad, advanced, and organized research community. Yet, Drosophila has barely been exploited to understand the underlying mechanisms of mycobacterial infections, which cause some of the deadliest infectious diseases humans are currently battling. Here, we identified mycobacterial genes required for the pathogen's growth during Drosophila infection. Using Mycobacterium marinum (Mmar) to model mycobacterial pathogens, we first validated that an established mycobacterial virulence factor, EccB1 of the ESX-1 Type VII secretion system, is required for Mmar growth within the flies. Subsequently, we identified Mmar virulence genes in Drosophila in a high-throughput genome-wide phenotypic mann

SUBMITTER: Sivakumar N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12425279 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature