Drosophila has served as a model for understanding the molecular genetics of innate immunity, but the cellular part of the innate immune system remains poorly characterized at the molecular level. Furthermore, there are very few model systems available for studying the genetic basis of natural host-pathogen interactions, particularly between eukaryotic hosts and pathogens, and developing one utilizing a host with the array of genetic tools available in Drosophila would be especially valuable. In previous work, we identified a number of candidate Drosophila genes thought to play a role in the fly cellular immune response against endoparasitoid wasps, including genes involved in pattern recognition, hemocyte (blood cell) signaling, and cytoskeletal modifications necessary for hemocyte migration and encapsulation of wasp eggs (Schlenke et al. 2007). Here, we propose a series of experiments aimed at understanding the molecular and evolutionary interactions between the Drosophila cellular immune response and the immune suppressive venom components of its natural wasp macroparasites. We will functionally characterize candidate Drosophila anti-wasp immunity genes, and genetically map Drosophila loci responsible for genetic variation in wasp killing success in natural populations. We will also tackle the wasp side of the equation by identifying venom proteins from the venom glands of two closely related wasps with divergent infection strategies, using a combination of cDNA library and protein sequencing. The cDNA sequences will be used to generate markers to genetically map wasp loci responsible for genetic variation in wasp infection success in natural populations. Finally, we will study the molecular evolutionary history of the wasp-fly interaction by collecting DNA polymorphism and divergence data from natural populations for Drosophila immune genes and wasp venom genes, and by inferring the past selection pressures on these genes using standard population genetics and molecular evolution techniques.

Public Health Relevance

The purpose of this project is to understand the molecular and evolutionary interactions between the Drosophila cellular immune response and the venom components of its wasp macroparasites. This work will uncover basic elements of the Drosophila innate immune system, mechanisms by which generalist and specialist parasites suppress the immune response, and the fly immune genes and wasp venom genes that engage in antagonistic interactions over evolutionary time.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI081879-04
Application #
8304316
Study Section
Genetic Variation and Evolution Study Section (GVE)
Program Officer
Leitner, Wolfgang W
Project Start
2009-07-27
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2012-07-01
Budget End
2014-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$341,811
Indirect Cost
$121,288
Name
Emory University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Kacsoh, Balint Z; Bozler, Julianna; Schlenke, Todd A (2014) A role for nematocytes in the cellular immune response of the drosophilid Zaprionus indianus. Parasitology 141:697-715
Keebaugh, Erin S; Schlenke, Todd A (2014) Insights from natural host-parasite interactions: the Drosophila model. Dev Comp Immunol 42:111-23
Goecks, Jeremy; Mortimer, Nathan T; Mobley, James A et al. (2013) Integrative approach reveals composition of endoparasitoid wasp venoms. PLoS One 8:e64125
Mortimer, Nathan T; Goecks, Jeremy; Kacsoh, Balint Z et al. (2013) Parasitoid wasp venom SERCA regulates Drosophila calcium levels and inhibits cellular immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:9427-32
Kacsoh, Balint Z; Lynch, Zachary R; Mortimer, Nathan T et al. (2013) Fruit flies medicate offspring after seeing parasites. Science 339:947-50
Lefevre, Thierry; de Roode, Jacobus C; Kacsoh, Balint Z et al. (2012) Defence strategies against a parasitoid wasp in Drosophila: fight or flight? Biol Lett 8:230-3
Kacsoh, Balint Z; Schlenke, Todd A (2012) High hemocyte load is associated with increased resistance against parasitoids in Drosophila suzukii, a relative of D. melanogaster. PLoS One 7:e34721
Mortimer, Nathan T; Kacsoh, Balint Z; Keebaugh, Erin S et al. (2012) Mgat1-dependent N-glycosylation of membrane components primes Drosophila melanogaster blood cells for the cellular encapsulation response. PLoS Pathog 8:e1002819
Milan, Neil F; Kacsoh, Balint Z; Schlenke, Todd A (2012) Alcohol consumption as self-medication against blood-borne parasites in the fruit fly. Curr Biol 22:488-93
Keebaugh, Erin S; Schlenke, Todd A (2012) Adaptive evolution of a novel Drosophila lectin induced by parasitic wasp attack. Mol Biol Evol 29:565-77