Abstract
The cytokine-induced activation cascade of NF-kappaB in mammals and the activation of the morphogen dorsal in Drosophila embryos show striking structural and functional similarities (Toll/IL-1, Cactus/I-kappaB, and dorsal/NF-kappaB). Here we demonstrate that these parallels extend to the immune response of Drosophila. In particular, the intracellular components of the dorsoventral signaling pathway (except for dorsal) and the extracellular Toll ligand, spätzle, control expression of the antifungal peptide gene drosomycin in adults. We also show that mutations in the Toll signaling pathway dramatically reduce survival after fungal infection. Antibacterial genes are induced either by a distinct pathway involving the immune deficiency gene (imd) or by combined activation of both imd and dorsoventral pathways.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antifungal Agents / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila / genetics*
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Drosophila / immunology*
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Drosophila / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins*
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Fungi / immunology
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Gene Expression
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Genes, Insect*
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Genes, MHC Class II*
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Insect Hormones / genetics
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Insect Proteins*
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Mutation
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Mycoses / immunology
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NF-kappa B / metabolism
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Phosphoproteins / genetics
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Proteins / genetics
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Receptors, Cell Surface*
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Signal Transduction
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Toll-Like Receptors
Substances
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Antifungal Agents
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Insect Hormones
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Insect Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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NF-kappa B
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Phosphoproteins
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Proteins
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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Tl protein, Drosophila
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Toll-Like Receptors
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spz protein, Drosophila
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cact protein, Drosophila
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DRS protein, Drosophila