Toll receptor-mediated Drosophila immune response requires Dif, an NF-kappaB factor

Genes Dev. 1999 Apr 1;13(7):792-7. doi: 10.1101/gad.13.7.792.

Abstract

The induction of immunity genes in Drosophila has been proposed to be dependent on Dorsal, Dif, and Relish, the NF-kappaB-related factors. Here we provide genetic evidence that Dif is required for the induction of only a subset of antimicrobial peptide genes. The results show that the presence of Dif without Dorsal is sufficient to mediate the induction of drosomycin and defensin. We also demonstrate that Dif is a downstream component of the Toll signaling pathway in activating the drosomycin expression. These results reveal that individual members of the NF-kappaB family in Drosophila have distinct roles in immunity and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Androgen-Binding Protein / genetics
  • Androgen-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / metabolism
  • Blotting, Northern
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Defensins
  • Drosophila / genetics*
  • Drosophila / immunology
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Exons
  • Genes, Insect
  • Insect Proteins / genetics*
  • Insect Proteins / metabolism
  • Introns
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Models, Genetic
  • NF-kappa B / genetics
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Proteins / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface*
  • Ribosomal Proteins*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Time Factors
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • Androgen-Binding Protein
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Defensins
  • Dif protein, Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Insect Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Rel protein, Drosophila
  • Ribosomal Proteins
  • RpL32 protein, Drosophila
  • Tl protein, Drosophila
  • Toll-Like Receptors
  • Transcription Factors
  • probasin
  • DRS protein, Drosophila