Off-campus FIU users: To download campus-access content, please use the following link to log in to our proxy server with your FIU library username and password.
Non-FIU users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this content through interlibrary loan.
Date of Award
Spring 4-13-2020
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Biology
Abstract
Wolbachia is a maternally transmitted endosymbiotic bacterium that infects a wide range of insect hosts. Effective mechanisms of bacterial transmission are required to maintain sufficient titer in the maternal germline and ensure infection of future host generations. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate Wolbachia titer are not well understood. Previous studies have suggested that host diet can impact bacterial titer during the oogenesis of D. melanogaster. It was demonstrated that Drosophila exposed to a yeast-enriched diet caused a reduction of Wolbachia titer that was mediated through insulin stimulation. However, the location of the cells containing the insulin receptors responsible for regulating the yeast-based suppression of titer during oogenesis is not yet known. Using the GAL4-UAS system, dietary treatments and confocal imaging, this study aimed to identify whether insulin receptors of the germline cells in the ovaries of D. melanogaster are responsible for regulating Wolbachia titer. Preliminary results confirmed that titer suppression is specific to late stages of Drosophila oogenesis. The data collected in this experiment further suggest that germline insulin receptors are responsible for nutrient-dependent bacterial titer reductions. These results are consistent with a model for germline colonization as mediated by endocytic pathways that are insulin receptor-associated. In summary, these findings provide further knowledge to continue building upon, and ultimately understand the mechanisms that regulate bacteria-host interactions.
Recommended Citation
Espinosa, Jessica, "Location of insulin receptors responsible for Wolbachia titer suppression during oogenesis." (2020). Department of Biological Sciences - Undergraduate Honors Theses. 102.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/bio_honors/102
Rights Statement
In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).