Related Experiment Videos
Drosophila-host genetic control of susceptibility to Drosophila C virus
M Thomas-Orillard1, B Jeune, G Cusset
1Université Pierre-et-Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Interactions between Drosophila C virus (DCV) and its natural host, Drosophila melanogaster, were investigated using 15 geographical population samples infected by intraabdominal inoculation. These strains derived from natural populations of D. melanogaster differed in susceptibility to the DCVc. One strain was "partially tolerant". Isofemale lines obtained from one susceptible and one partially tolerant strain were studied. The partially tolerant phenotype was dominant, and there was no difference between F1 progeny of direct and reciprocal crosses. Analysis of F2 progeny showed that neither sex-linked genes nor maternal effects are involved in susceptibility to DCVc. The partially tolerant strain phenotype was dominant and segregated with chromosome III. Two nonexclusive hypotheses are proposed to explain chromosome III gene action.
Insights
Genetic analysis reveals that partial tolerance to Drosophila C virus (DCV) in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) is a dominant trait. This tolerance is linked to genes on chromosome III, not sex-linked or maternal factors.
Area of Science:
- * Virology
- * Genetics
- * Entomology
Background:
- * Drosophila C virus (DCV) is a natural pathogen of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.
- * Natural populations of D. melanogaster exhibit varying degrees of susceptibility to DCV infections.
- * Understanding host-pathogen interactions is crucial for studying viral evolution and host defense mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the genetic basis of differential susceptibility to DCV in natural populations of D. melanogaster.
- * To determine the mode of inheritance for partial tolerance to DCV.
- * To identify the chromosomal location of genes conferring DCV tolerance.
Main Methods:
- * Intra-abdominal inoculation of 15 geographical strains of D. melanogaster with DCV.
- * Crossbreeding experiments using isofemale lines from susceptible and partially tolerant strains.
- * Segregation analysis of F1 and F2 progeny to map the genetic basis of tolerance.
Main Results:
- * Natural D. melanogaster populations displayed varying susceptibility to DCV.
- * Partial tolerance to DCV was observed in one strain and found to be a dominant trait.
- * Genetic analysis indicated that tolerance is not sex-linked or maternally inherited, but segregates with chromosome III.
Conclusions:
- * A specific gene or genes on chromosome III control the dominant partial tolerance to DCV in D. melanogaster.
- * The findings provide insights into the genetic architecture of host resistance to viral pathogens.
- * Two hypotheses are proposed to explain the mechanism of chromosome III gene action in DCV tolerance.