A glutamate-dependent redox system in blood cells is integral for phagocytosis in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Glutamate transport is highly regulated as glutamate directly acts as a neurotransmitter and indirectly regulates the synthesis of antioxidants. Although glutamate deregulation has been repeatedly linked to serious human diseases such as HIV infection and Alzheimer's, glutamate's role in the immune system is still poorly understood. We find that a putative glutamate transporter in Drosophila melanogaster, polyphemus (polyph), plays an integral part in the fly's immune response. Flies with a disrupted polyph gene exhibit decreased phagocytosis of microbial-derived bioparticles. When infected with S. aureus, polyph flies show an increase in both susceptibility and bacterial growth. Additionally, the expression of two known glutamate transporters, genderblind and excitatory amino acid transpo

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez EA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4010129 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature