Monash University, Australia has discovered that Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila) contains proteins linked to destruction of infected or cancerous cells. These proteins regulate the release by the cells of critical growth factors that control embryo development. Researchers published their results in Nature Communications. They believe that this could help to explain the role of perforin-like protein in neurodevelopment disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder and the development the brain. Michelle Henstridge (post-doctoral researcher), Dr. Travis Johnson (an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow), and Coral Warr (Associate Professor, School of Biological Sciences) co-led the study. James Whisstock is Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Professor Coral Warr (left), and her research team. Image: Monash University. Their discovery answers a long-standing developmental biology question: How a fly embryo’s Growth Factor is controlled to decide where its tail and head are. A new method to control growth factor activity. Dr. Johnson stated that the findings were significant and important because they reveal a novel mechanism. Dr. Henstridge said that this discovery solves a long-standing question in developmental biology. This protein, which is perforin-like, is found in fruit flies and is known as ‘Torso’. Female flies without it produce no tails or heads. Professor Warr explained the reasons why fruit fly development is so fascinating. Professor Warr stated that the Drosophila fruit fly is an ideal organism to study the role of perforin-like protein in embryo development. Most of the knowledge about human growth and development was gained through studies on the fruit fly. It is because the majority of human genes that control development and growth work in the same manner in fruit flies. Staining of fruit fly embryos for localised patterning markers. 2. Brightfield microscopy view on a young embryo 3. A section from a fruit fly embryo showing the growth factor required for patterning the tail and head. 4. Image of whole fruit fly embryos confocal projected 5. The mutant fruit fly larvae for the torsolike gene, with tail and head defects. 6. Normally patterned larva. Professor Whisstock explained the importance of our discovery that a protein similar to perforin which aids the immune system to kill foreign pathogen cell cells is released only at the end of the insect embryo. Professor Whisstock stated that “what’s most exciting about our research was the discovery of a protein similar to perforin, which normally functions to kill cells — is actually helping cells grow and differentiate in fly embryos.” It is significant because perforin-like proteins in human brains have been linked to proper brain development in past research. Prof. Warr said: “While they don’t know the exact mechanism of these proteins, it has been suggested that they could be responsible for controlling the release of growth factors from cells.” Scientists believe this research will lead to new treatment options for Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as other conditions and disorders. The researchers also plan to study fruit flies in order to understand the function of mammalian protein on a larger scale. Citation: “Torsolike mediates extracellular collection of Furin-cleaved Trunk in Drosophila embryo termini.” Travis K. Johnson and Michelle A. Henstridge. Anabel Herr. Karyn A.Moore, James C. Whisstock, Coral G. Warr. Nature Communications. Published 28 Oct, 2015. DOI: 10. 1038/ncomms9759.
Research on fruit fly disease may help to treat human developmental disorders
