Genetic evidence for a protective role of the peritrophic matrix against intestinal bacterial infection in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: The peritrophic matrix (PM) forms a layer composed of chitin and glycoproteins that lines the insect intestinal lumen. This physical barrier plays a role analogous to that of mucous secretions of the vertebrate digestive tract and is thought to protect the midgut epithelium from abrasive food particles and microbes. Almost nothing is known about PM functions in Drosophila, and its function as an immune barrier has never been addressed by a genetic approach. Here we show that the Drosocrystallin (Dcy) protein, a putative component of the eye lens of Drosophila, contributes to adult PM formation. A loss-of-function mutation in the dcy gene results in a reduction of PM width and an increase of its permeability. Upon bacterial ingestion a higher level of expression of antibacterial peptides wa

SUBMITTER: Kuraishi T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3179054 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature