Toll receptor-mediated Drosophila immune response requires Dif, an NF-κB factor
Abstract
The induction of immunity genes in Drosophila has been proposed to be dependent on Dorsal, Dif, and Relish, the NF-κB-related factors. Here we provide genetic evidence that Dif is required for the induction of only a subset of antimicrobial peptide genes. The results show that the presence of Dif without Dorsal is sufficient to mediate the induction of drosomycin anddefensin. We also demonstrate that Dif is a downstream component of the Toll signaling pathway in activating thedrosomycin expression. These results reveal that individual members of the NF-κB family in Drosophila have distinct roles in immunity and development.
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Footnotes
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↵Corresponding author.
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E-MAIL Tony.Ip{at}ummed.edu; FAX (508) 856-4289.
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- Received November 14, 1998.
- Accepted February 2, 1999.
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press