Peptidoglycan recognition in Drosophila is mediated by LysMD3/4.

Microbial recognition is a key step in regulating the immune signaling pathways of multicellular organisms. Peptidoglycan, a component of the bacterial cell wall, exhibits immune stimulating activity in both plants and animals. Lysin motif domain (LysMD) family proteins are ancient peptidoglycan receptors that function in bacteriophage and plants.

Ultra-low frequency labeling of single cell lineages in Drosophila.

We describe a new methodology for genetically labeling single cell lineages in Drosophila called DMARCM. The system offers ultra-low frequency labeling, linear induction, consistent labeling among individuals and virtually no background signal. We compare this technique to an existing approach, which has been widely adopted.

Generation of enteroendocrine cell diversity in midgut stem cell lineages.

The endocrine system mediates long-range peptide hormone signaling to broadcast changes in metabolic status to distant target tissues via the circulatory system. In many animals, the diffuse endocrine system of the gut is the largest endocrine tissue, with the full spectrum of endocrine cell subtypes not yet fully characterized. Here, we combine molecular mapping, lineage tracing and genetic analysis in the adult fruit fly to gain new insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing enteroendocrine cell diversity.

Identification of adult midgut precursors in Drosophila.

The adult Drosophila midgut is thought to arise from an endodermal rudiment specified during embryogenesis. Previous studies have reported the presence of individual cells termed adult midgut precursors (AMPs) as well as "midgut islands" or "islets" in embryonic and larval midgut tissue. Yet the precise relationship between progenitor cell populations and the cells of the adult midgut has not been characterized.