Genetic, molecular and physiological basis of variation in Drosophila gut immunocompetence.

ABSTRACT: Gut immunocompetence involves immune, stress and regenerative processes. To investigate the determinants underlying inter-individual variation in gut immunocompetence, we perform enteric infection of 140 Drosophila lines with the entomopathogenic bacterium Pseudomonas entomophila and observe extensive variation in survival. Using genome-wide association analysis, we identify several novel immune modulators. Transcriptional profiling further shows that the intestinal molecular state differs between resistant and susceptible lines, already before infection, with one transcriptional module involving genes linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism contributing to this difference. This genetic and molecular variation is physiologically manifested in lower ROS activity, lower susceptibi

SUBMITTER: Bou Sleiman MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4525169 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature