Abstract
Heterorhabditis bacteriophora is an entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) which infects its host by accessing the hemolymph where it releases endosymbiotic bacteria of the species Photorhabdus luminescens. We performed a genome-wide transcriptional analysis of the Drosophila response to EPN infection at the time point at which the nematodes reached the hemolymph either via the cuticle or the gut and the bacteria had started to multiply. Many of the most strongly induced genes have been implicated in immune responses in other infection models. Mapping of the complete set of differentially regulated genes showed the hallmarks of a wound response, but also identified a large fraction of EPN-specific transcripts. Several genes identified by transcriptome profiling or their homologues play protective roles during nematode infections. Genes that positively contribute to controlling nematobacterial infections encode: a homolog of thioester-containing complement protein 3, a basement membrane component (glutactin), a recognition protein (GNBP-like 3) and possibly several small peptides. Of note is that several of these genes have not previously been implicated in immune responses.
Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Cluster Analysis
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Complement System Proteins / genetics
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Complement System Proteins / immunology*
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Complement System Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / immunology
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
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Drosophila melanogaster / immunology*
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Drosophila melanogaster / parasitology
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Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
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Extracellular Matrix Proteins / immunology*
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Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
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Gene Ontology
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Genome, Insect*
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Hemocytes / immunology
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Hemocytes / metabolism
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Host-Parasite Interactions / immunology
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Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
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Larva / genetics
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Larva / immunology
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Larva / parasitology
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Luminescent Proteins / genetics
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Luminescent Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
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Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
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Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
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Microscopy, Confocal
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Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
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Photorhabdus / immunology
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Photorhabdus / physiology
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RNA Interference
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Rhabditoidea / immunology*
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Rhabditoidea / microbiology
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Rhabditoidea / physiology
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Transcriptome / immunology*
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Extracellular Matrix Proteins
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Glt protein, Drosophila
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Luminescent Proteins
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Complement System Proteins