Abstract
Phagocytosis is a complex, evolutionarily conserved process that plays a central role in host defense against infection. We have identified a predicted transmembrane protein, Eater, which is involved in phagocytosis in Drosophila. Transcriptional silencing of the eater gene in a macrophage cell line led to a significant reduction in the binding and internalization of bacteria. Moreover, the N terminus of the Eater protein mediated direct microbial binding which could be inhibited with scavenger receptor ligands, acetylated, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein. In vivo, eater expression was restricted to blood cells. Flies lacking the eater gene displayed normal responses in NF-kappaB-like Toll and IMD signaling pathways but showed impaired phagocytosis and decreased survival after bacterial infection. Our results suggest that Eater is a major phagocytic receptor for a broad range of bacterial pathogens in Drosophila and provide a powerful model to address the role of phagocytosis in vivo.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Motifs
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Bacterial Infections / prevention & control
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Drosophila / cytology
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Drosophila / embryology
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Drosophila / genetics
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Drosophila / microbiology*
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins / physiology*
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Embryo, Nonmammalian
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Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
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Flow Cytometry
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Frameshift Mutation
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Genes, Insect*
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Histidine / chemistry
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In Situ Hybridization
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Insect Proteins / chemistry
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Insect Proteins / genetics
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Insect Proteins / metabolism
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Insect Proteins / physiology*
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Macrophages / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / chemistry
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Membrane Proteins / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / physiology*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Open Reading Frames
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Phagocytosis*
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RNA Interference
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
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Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism
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Receptors, Cell Surface / physiology*
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Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
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Serratia marcescens / pathogenicity
Substances
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Drosophila Proteins
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Insect Proteins
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Membrane Proteins
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RNA, Messenger
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Receptors, Cell Surface
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eater protein, Drosophila
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Histidine