Sensing and signalling viral infection in drosophila. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schneider, Juliette; Imler, Jean-Luc
• Is Part Of: Developmental and comparative immunology. Volume 117(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: NF-κB -- STING -- RNA interference -- Innate immunity -- Antiviral factors -- Virus; Immunology -- Periodicals; Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2020.103985
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-305X

Abstract

Abstract: The fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster is a valuable model to unravel mechanisms of innate immunity, in particular in the context of viral infections. RNA interference, and more specifically the small interfering RNA pathway, is a major component of antiviral immunity in drosophila. In addition, the contribution of inducible transcriptional responses to the control of viruses in drosophila and other invertebrates is increasingly recognized. In particular, the recent discovery of a STING-IKKβ-Relish signalling cassette in drosophila has confirmed that NF-κB transcription factors play an important role in the control of viral infections, in addition to bacterial and fungal infections. Here, we review recent developments in the field, which begin to shed light on the mechanisms involved in sensing of viral infections and in signalling leading to production of antiviral effectors. Highlights: siRNAs and miRNAs, but not piRNAs, regulate viral infection in drosophila. NF-κB mediated inducible responses contribute to antiviral immunity in flies. Drosophila can be used to decipher the ancestral role of STING in antiviral immunity.