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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Phagocytosis Assay for Apoptotic Cells in Drosophila Embryos
Published on: August 3, 2017
Eater, a transmembrane protein mediating phagocytosis of bacterial pathogens in Drosophila
Christine Kocks1, Ju Hyun Cho, Nadine Nehme
1Laboratory of Developmental Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. christine_kocks@hms.harvard.edu
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.
Insights
Eater, a novel transmembrane protein, is crucial for host defense in fruit flies. This protein mediates bacterial binding and internalization, enhancing survival against infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Phagocytosis is a vital immune process for host defense against pathogens.
- Identifying key receptors involved in phagocytosis is essential for understanding immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize novel phagocytic receptors in Drosophila.
- To investigate the role of the Eater protein in Drosophila immunity and phagocytosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Drosophila macrophage cell line for gene silencing experiments.
- Performed bacterial binding and internalization assays.
- Analyzed gene expression and protein function in vivo using Drosophila models.
Main Results:
- Silencing the 'eater' gene significantly reduced bacterial binding and internalization.
- The N-terminus of Eater protein directly binds microbes, inhibited by scavenger receptor ligands.
- Eater-deficient flies showed impaired phagocytosis and reduced survival post-infection, despite normal signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- Eater acts as a major phagocytic receptor for diverse bacterial pathogens in Drosophila.
- Eater plays a critical role in host defense and survival against infection.
- Drosophila Eater provides a valuable model for studying phagocytosis in vivo.
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