RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Innate Immune Homeostasis by the Homeobox Gene <em>Caudal</em> and Commensal-Gut Mutualism in <em>Drosophila</em>
JF Science
JO Science
FD American Association for the Advancement of Science
SP 777
OP 782
DO 10.1126/science.1149357
VO 319
IS 5864
A1 Ryu, Ji-Hwan
A1 Kim, Sung-Hee
A1 Lee, Hyo-Young
A1 Bai, Jin Young
A1 Nam, Young-Do
A1 Bae, Jin-Woo
A1 Lee, Dong Gun
A1 Shin, Seung Chul
A1 Ha, Eun-Mi
A1 Lee, Won-Jae
YR 2008
UL http://science.sciencemag.org/content/319/5864/777.abstract
AB Although commensalism with gut microbiota exists in all metazoans, the host factors that maintain this homeostatic relationship remain largely unknown. We show that the intestinal homeobox gene Caudal regulates the commensal-gut mutualism by repressing nuclear factor kappa B–dependent antimicrobial peptide genes. Inhibition of Caudal expression in flies via RNA interference led to overexpression of antimicrobial peptides, which in turn altered the commensal population within the intestine. In particular, the dominance of one gut microbe, Gluconobacter sp. strain EW707, eventually led to gut cell apoptosis and host mortality. However, restoration of a healthy microbiota community and normal host survival in the Caudal-RNAi flies was achieved by reintroduction of the Caudal gene. These results reveal that a specific genetic deficiency within a host can profoundly influence the gut commensal microbial community and host physiology.