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Transcriptomic Analysis of Octanoic Acid Response in Drosophila sechellia Using RNA-Sequencing
Stephen M Lanno1, Sara M Gregory1, Serena J Shimshak1
1Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut 06457.
G3 (Bethesda, Md.)
|October 13, 2017
Summary
Drosophila sechellia fruit flies resist toxic Morinda fruit via octanoic acid (OA) resistance genes. New RNA-sequencing identified 104 differentially expressed genes, including Osiris family members, and five novel OA resistance candidates.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Genomics
- Toxicology
Background:
- Drosophila sechellia, a fruit fly specialist, consumes toxic Morinda citrifolia fruit high in octanoic acid (OA).
- Previous research identified Osiris genes (Osi6, Osi7, Osi8) as crucial for OA resistance in Drosophila melanogaster, suggesting a major genetic locus in D. sechellia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel genes contributing to octanoic acid (OA) resistance in Drosophila sechellia.
- To explore genetic factors underlying adaptation to toxic host plants.
Main Methods:
- Differential gene expression analysis using RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) on OA-exposed and control D. sechellia flies.
- Comparison of gene expression data with known OA resistance loci and gene families.
Main Results:
- 104 significantly differentially expressed genes with D. melanogaster orthologs were identified, including six Osiris family members.
- Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment revealed upregulation in cuticle development and downregulation in immune/defense responses.
- Five candidate OA resistance genes outside the major locus were identified.
Conclusions:
- The study expands the understanding of OA resistance mechanisms in D. sechellia beyond the major Osiris locus.
- Identified genes involved in cuticle development and immune responses may play roles in adaptation to toxic diets.
- New candidate genes provide avenues for future functional studies on plant toxin resistance.
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