Adult and Larval Tracheal Systems Exhibit Different Molecular Architectures in Drosophila

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 6; p. 5628
• Main Authors: Bossen, Judith, Prange, Ruben, Kühle, Jan-Philip, Künzel, Sven, Niu, Xiao, Hammel, Jörg U, Krieger, Laura, Knop, Mirjam, Ehrhardt, Birte, Uliczka, Karin, Krauss-Etschmann, Susanne, Roeder, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 15.03.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: adult specific; Adults; Animal reproduction; Animals; Antimicrobial peptides; Biological clocks; circadian rhythm; Circadian rhythms; Comparative analysis; Drosophila; Drosophila - genetics; Drosophila melanogaster - metabolism; Drosophila Proteins - metabolism; epithelial immune system; Fruit flies; G protein-coupled receptors; Gases; Gene expression; Genes; Homeostasis; Immune system; Insects; Larva - genetics; Larva - metabolism; Metabolism; Molecular structure; Peptides; Physical properties; Respiration; Respiratory system; Trachea; Trachea - metabolism; Transcriptomes; transcriptomics; respiratory system; transcriptomics; epithelial immune system; Drosophila; circadian rhythm; adult specific
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065628

Knowing the molecular makeup of an organ system is required for its in-depth understanding. We analyzed the molecular repertoire of the adult tracheal system of the fruit fly using transcriptome studies to advance our knowledge of the adult insect tracheal system. Comparing this to the larval tracheal system revealed several major differences that likely influence organ function. During the transition from larval to adult tracheal system, a shift in the expression of genes responsible for the formation of cuticular structure occurs. This change in transcript composition manifests in the physical properties of cuticular structures of the adult trachea. Enhanced tonic activation of the immune system is observed in the adult trachea, which encompasses the increased expression of antimicrobial peptides. In addition, modulatory processes are conspicuous, in this case mainly by the increased expression of G protein-coupled receptors in the adult trachea. Finally, all components of a peripheral circadian clock are present in the adult tracheal system, which is not the case in the larval tracheal system. Comparative analysis of driver lines targeting the adult tracheal system revealed that even the canonical tracheal driver line ( ) is not able to target all parts of the adult tracheal system. Here, we have uncovered a specific transcriptome pattern of the adult tracheal system and provide this dataset as a basis for further analyses of the adult insect tracheal system.