Monalysin: A New Toxin from Pseudomonas entomophila that Damages Drosophila Intestines
Author Information
Author(s): Opota Onya, Vallet-Gély Isabelle, Vincentelli Renaud, Kellenberger Christine, Iacovache Ioan, Gonzalez Manuel Rodrigo, Roussel Alain, van der Goot Françoise-Gisou, Lemaitre Bruno
Primary Institution: Global Health Institute, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
Hypothesis
Does the pore-forming toxin Monalysin contribute to the virulence of Pseudomonas entomophila against Drosophila?
Conclusion
Monalysin is a pore-forming toxin that significantly contributes to the intestinal damage and lethality caused by Pseudomonas entomophila in Drosophila.
Supporting Evidence
- Monalysin requires N-terminal cleavage to become fully active.
- Monalysin forms oligomers in vitro.
- Monalysin induces pore-formation in artificial lipid membranes.
- Reduced cell death is observed upon infection with a mutant deficient in Monalysin production.
- Monalysin's activity is consistent with its classification as a pore-forming toxin.
Takeaway
Monalysin is a toxin made by a bacterium that can hurt fruit flies' intestines, making them sick and sometimes killing them.
Methodology
The study involved infecting Drosophila with wild-type and mutant strains of Pseudomonas entomophila and analyzing the effects on gut integrity and cell death.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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