Open AccessSuppression of Drosophila cellular immunity by directed expression of the ExoS toxin GAP domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Author(s) -
AvetRochex Amelie,
Bergeret Evelyne,
Attree Ina,
Meister Marie,
Fauvarque MarieOdile
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
cellular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.542
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1462-5822
pISSN - 1462-5814
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2005.00512.x
Subject(s) - biology , pseudomonas aeruginosa , microbiology and biotechnology , immunity , toxin , drosophila (subgenus) , domain (mathematical analysis) , immune system , immunology , genetics , bacteria , gene , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Summary We show here that transgenic Drosophila can be used to decipher the effect of a bacterial toxin on innate immunity and demonstrate the contribution of blood cells in fly resistance to bacterial infection. ExoS is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin directly translocated into the host cell cytoplasm through the type III secretion system found in many Gram‐negative bacteria. It contains a N‐terminal GTPase activating (GAP) domain that prevents cytoskeleton reorganization by Rho family of GTPases in cell culture. Directed expression of the ExoS GAP domain (ExoSGAP) during fly eye morphogenesis inhibited Rac1‐, Cdc42‐ and Rho‐dependent signalling, demonstrating for the first time its activity on RhoGTPases in a whole organism. We further showed that fly resistance to P. aeruginosa infections was altered when ExoSGAP was expressed either ubiquitously or in haemocytes, but not when expressed into the fat body, the major source of NF‐κB‐dependent anti‐microbial peptide synthesis. Fly sensitivity to infection was also observed with Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus strain and was associated to a reduced phagocytosis capacity of ExoSGAP‐expressing haemocytes. Our results highlight the major contribution of cellular immunity during the first hours after Drosophila infection by P. aeruginosa , an opportunist pathogen affecting patients with pathologies associated to a reduced leukocyte number.