Drosophila as a model system to unravel the layers of innate immunity to infection.
Innate immunity relies entirely upon germ-line encoded receptors, signalling components and effector molecules for the recognition and elimination of invading pathogens. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster with its powerful collection of genetic and genomic tools has been the model of choice to develop ideas about innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions. Here, we review current research in the field, encompassing all layers of defence from the role of the microbiota to systemic immune activation, and attempt to speculate on future directions and open questions.
Laboratory of Genes and Development, Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, UK.
Ilias
I
Kounatidis
Petros
P
Ligoxygakis
D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005216:Fat Body / Q000276:immunology; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal / Q000235:genetics; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology; D008543:Melanins / Q000276:immunology; D059013:Microbial Consortia; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010587:Phagocytosis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D015003:Yeasts / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008543:Melanins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic