Drosophila host defense: Differential induction of antimicrobial peptide genes after infection by various classes of microorganisms

B Lemaitre, JM Reichhart… - Proceedings of the …, 1997 - National Acad Sciences
B Lemaitre, JM Reichhart, JA Hoffmann
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1997National Acad Sciences
Insects respond to microbial infection by the rapid and transient expression of several genes
encoding potent antimicrobial peptides. Herein we demonstrate that this antimicrobial
response of Drosophila is not aspecific but can discriminate between various classes of
microorganisms. We first observe that the genes encoding antibacterial and antifungal
peptides are differentially expressed after injection of distinct microorganisms. More
strikingly, Drosophila that are naturally infected by entomopathogenic fungi exhibit an …
Insects respond to microbial infection by the rapid and transient expression of several genes encoding potent antimicrobial peptides. Herein we demonstrate that this antimicrobial response of Drosophila is not aspecific but can discriminate between various classes of microorganisms. We first observe that the genes encoding antibacterial and antifungal peptides are differentially expressed after injection of distinct microorganisms. More strikingly, Drosophila that are naturally infected by entomopathogenic fungi exhibit an adapted response by producing only peptides with antifungal activities. This response is mediated through the selective activation of the Toll pathway.
National Acad Sciences