Hemocytes are essential for Drosophila melanogaster post-embryonic development, independent of control of the microbiota

Holly N. Stephenson, Robert Streeck, Florian Grüblinger, Christian Goosmann, Alf Herzig*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title> <jats:p>Proven roles for hemocytes (blood cells) have expanded beyond the control of infections in Drosophila. Despite this, the crucial role of hemocytes in post-embryonic development has long thought to be limited to control of microorganisms during metamorphosis. This has previously been shown by rescue of adult development in hemocyte-ablation models under germ-free conditions. Here, we show that hemocytes have an essential role in post-embryonic development beyond their ability to control the microbiota. Using a newly generated strong hemocyte-specific driver line for the GAL4/UAS system, we show that specific ablation of hemocytes is early pupal lethal, even under axenic conditions. Genetic rescue experiments prove that this is a hemocyte-specific phenomenon. RNA-seq data suggests that dysregulation of the midgut is a prominent consequence of hemocyte ablation in larval stages, resulting in reduced gut lengths. Dissection suggests that multiple processes may be affected during metamorphosis. We believe this previously unreported role for hemocytes during metamorphosis is a major finding for the field.</jats:p>
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages0
JournalDevelopment
Volume149
Issue number18
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Sept 2022

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