Characterization of an anti-wasp response gene in Drosophila. Erin S. Keebaugh, Todd A. Schlenke. Dept Biol, Emory Univ, Altanta, GA.

   Parasitic wasps lay eggs in Drosophila larvae that hatch, consume larval tissues, and eclose from the fly pupal case, killing the fly in the process. In addition to eggs, wasps also inject venom proteins that serve to aid in wasp success. Drosophila larvae can respond to wasp infection by melanotic encapsulation, where fly hemocytes form a capsule around and kill the entrapped wasp egg. Microarray analysis of Drosophila larvae post-wasp infection identified several promising candidate anti-wasp genes including an extracellular C-type lectin, lectin-24A. Expression analysis of lectin-24A shows enriched expression in the larval fat body, regulation by the Imd/JNK pathway, and a wasp-specific regulatory response. Flies mutant for lectin-24A are less successful in encapsulating wasp eggs and surviving wasp attack. I have generated an anti-Lectin-24a antibody to determine whether Lectin-24a binds to wasp eggs or host tissues in infected flies. I have also generated a lectin-24a reporter construct to further dissect its temporal, spatial, and genetic regulation and to determine whether venoms of certain wasp species suppress induction of lectin-24a as part of their virulence mechanism. If so, I will analyze venom fractions from these wasps to determine the venom components necessary for the inhibitory effect.