Toll-dependent and Toll-independent immune responses in Drosophila

• Published in: Journal of endotoxin research Vol. 10; no. 4; p. 241
• Main Authors: Imler, Jean-Luc, Ferrandon, Dominique, Royet, Julien, Reichhart, Jean-Marc, Hetru, Charles, Hoffmann, Jules A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2004
• Subjects: Acute-Phase Proteins; Animals; Blood Proteins; Drosophila - immunology; Drosophila Proteins - biosynthesis; Drosophila Proteins - immunology; Insect Proteins; Membrane Glycoproteins - physiology; Receptors, Cell Surface - biosynthesis; Receptors, Cell Surface - immunology; Receptors, Cell Surface - physiology; Toll-Like Receptor 5; Toll-Like Receptors; Up-Regulation
• ISSN: 0968-0519
• DOI: 10.1177/09680519040100040701

The multifaceted response of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster to infection by a wide range of microbes is complex and remarkably efficient. Its most prominent aspect is the immune-inducible expression of a set of potent antimicrobial peptides. Genetic analysis of the regulation of the genes encoding these peptides has led to the identification of the receptor Toll as an essential component of the fly's host defense system. In addition, these studies have revealed that the response to Gram-negative bacterial infections involves Toll-independent mechanisms, and that the sensing of infection involves two structurally distinct sets of molecules--the PGRPs and the GNBPs/betaGRPs.