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World J Biol Chem. May 26, 2010; 1(5): 151-159
Published online May 26, 2010. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v1.i5.151
Published online May 26, 2010. doi: 10.4331/wjbc.v1.i5.151
Drosophila as a model for antiviral immunity
Jing-Huan Wang, Susanna Valanne, Mika Rämet, Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Mika Rämet, Department of Paediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Author contributions: Wang JH, Valanne S and Rämet M co-wrote the manuscript.
Supported by Grants from the Academy of Finland, the Foundation for Pediatric Research, Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Tampere Tuberculosis Foundation and Emil Aaltonen Foundation (to Rämet M) and Competitive Research Funding of the Pirkanmaa Hospital District (to Rämet M and Valanne S)
Correspondence to: Mika Rämet, Professor, Institute of Medical Technology, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland. mika.ramet@uta.fi
Telephone: +3583 35517724 Fax: +3583 35517710
Received: April 1, 2010
Revised: May 4, 2010
Accepted: May 17, 2010
Published online: May 26, 2010
Revised: May 4, 2010
Accepted: May 17, 2010
Published online: May 26, 2010
Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been successfully used to study numerous biological processes including immune response. Flies are naturally infected with more than twenty RNA viruses making it a valid model organism to study host-pathogen interactions during viral infections. The Drosophila antiviral immunity includes RNA interference, activation of the JAK/STAT and other signaling cascades and other mechanisms such as autophagy and interactions with other microorganisms. Here we review Drosophila as an immunological research model as well as recent advances in the field of Drosophila antiviral immunity.
Keywords: Antiviral; Drosophila; Genetics; Immune signaling; Infection; JAK/STAT; RNA interference; Virus