Project description:A method for the long-term maintenance of germ-free flies was established using aseptic isolators. The methodology effectively and reliably yields large numbers of germ-free flies in homogeneous cultures. Germ-free flies exhibited increased lifespan (only female flies) and decreased egg production, markedly reduced fat storage, less midday sleep, and enhanced aggressiveness (male flies). Fructilactobacillus—a species of fly intestinal microbes—was re-colonized in germ-free flies, and these gnotobiotic flies were successfully maintained for numerous generations. The proteome of those flies were analyzed.
Project description:DNASeq reads from pools of female or male DrosDel and w1118 (parental strain for the Df/+ flies). Samples are named in this dataset according to the following sample naming scheme: tissue_genotype shorthand_sex_DNASeq_biological replicate #. We sequenced DNA from pools of female or male DrosDel and w1118 (parental strain for the Df/+ flies).
Project description:Tsetse flies (Glossina spp.) are major vectors of African trypanosomes, causing either Human or Animal African Trypanosomiasis (HAT or AAT). Several approaches are developed to control the disease among which the anti-vector Sterile Insect Technique. Another approach in the frame of anti-vector strategies could consist in controlling the fly’s vector competence which needs identifying factors (genes, proteins, biological pathways, …) involved in this process. The present work aims to verify whether protein candidates identified under experimental controlled conditions on insectary-reared tsetse flies have their counterpart in field-collected flies. Glossina palpalis palpalis flies naturally infected with Trypanosoma congolense were sampled in two HAT/AAT foci in Southern Cameroon. After dissection, the proteome from guts of parasite-infected flies were compared to that from uninfected flies in order to identify quantitative and/or qualitative changes associated to infection. A total of 3291 proteins were identified of which 1818 could be quantified. The comparative analysis allowed identifying 175 proteins with significant decreased abundance in infected as compared to uninfected flies, while 61 proteins displayed increased abundance. Among the former are RNA binding proteins, kinases, actin, ribosomal proteins, endocytosis proteins, oxido-reductases, as well as proteins that are unusually found such as tsetse salivary proteins (Tsal) or Yolk proteins. Among the proteins with increased abundance are fructose-1,6-biphosphatase, serine proteases, membrane trafficking proteins, death proteins (or apoptosis proteins), and SERPINs (inhibitor of serine proteases, enzymes considered as trypanosome virulence factors) that displayed highest increased abundance. Sodalis, Wiggleswothia and Wolbachia proteins are strongly under-represented, particularly when compared to data from similar experimentation conducted under controlled conditions on T. brucei gambiense infected (or uninfected) G. palpalis gambiensis insectary reared flies. Comparing the overall recorded data, 364 proteins identified in gut extracts from field flies were shown to have a homologue in insectary flies. Discrepancies between the two studies may arise from differences in the species of studied flies and trypanosomes as well as in differences in environmental conditions in which the two experiments were carried out. Finally, the present study together with former proteomic and transcriptomic studies on the secretome of trypanosomes, on the gut extracts from insectary reared and on field collected tsetse flies, provide a pool of data and information on which to draw in order to perform further investigations on, for example, mammal host immunization or on fly vector competence modification via para-transgenic approaches.
Project description:To understand how reduced insulin/IGF-1 signaling extends Drosophila lifespan through its downstream transcription factor dFOXO. We conducted ChIP analysis with a dFOXO antibody followed by Illumina high-throughput sequencing from chico heterozygous mutants, which are long-lived and normal sized, and from adult flies with ablated insulin producing cells (IPCs), which are also long-lived. dFOXO bound at promoters of 273 genes common among these genotypes, thus potentially enriching for shared factors in control of aging. Two replicates were sequenced from chico heterozygous mutants and IPC ablated flies.
Project description:Because pink1-mutant flies exhibit a global shutdown of protein synthesis, we decided to measure the levels of individual proteins in adult flies through quantitative proteomics.