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Updated: Aug 20, 2025

Isolation and Characterization of the Natural Microbiota of the Model Nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
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A bacteria-regulated gut peptide determines host dependence on specific bacteria to support host juvenile development

Jaegeun Lee1, Hyun Myoung Yun1, Gangsik Han1

  • 1Department of Life Science, Chung-Ang University, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.

BMC Biology
|November 18, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Drosophila host dependence on specific gut bacteria, like Lactobacillus and Acetobacter, is regulated by imaginal morphogenesis protein-Late 2 (Imp-L2). This protein

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Host-Microbe Interactions

Background:

  • Commensal bacteria significantly influence host physiology, particularly in Drosophila.
  • Lactobacillus and Acetobacter are key Drosophila commensals impacting development, but their interaction mechanisms are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which Drosophila host dependence on specific commensal bacteria is established.
  • To investigate the role of imaginal morphogenesis protein-Late 2 (Imp-L2) in mediating host-microbe interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the expression of imaginal morphogenesis protein-Late 2 (Imp-L2) in Drosophila enterocytes.
  • Utilized Imp-L2 mutant Drosophila and axenic conditions to assess bacterial effects on development and survival.
  • Analyzed the differential regulation of Imp-L2 by Lactobacillus and Acetobacter, including steroid hormone and FOXO pathways.

Main Results:

  • Imp-L2 expression in gut enterocytes is bacteria-dependent and determines host reliance on specific microbes.
  • Imp-L2 mutation disrupted Lactobacillus's growth-promoting effects but not Acetobacter's.
  • Acetobacter, but not Lactobacillus, re-association rescued lethality in Imp-L2 mutants under axenic conditions.
  • Acetobacter repressed Imp-L2 expression, while Lactobacillus did not, revealing differential regulatory mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Drosophila host dependence on specific bacteria is mediated by enterocyte expression of Imp-L2.
  • Differential regulation of Imp-L2 by various commensals allows hosts to switch bacterial reliance.
  • Findings offer insights into how varying microbiota composition influences host-microbe dynamics.
Keywords:
AcetobacterDrosophilaGut peptideHost–microbe interactionsImp-L2Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7Lactobacillus

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