Isolation of Acetobacter orientalis and their promotion of the growth and development of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract:

[Objective] This study was aimed to isolate and identify Acetobacter strains from Drosophila melanogaster, and to study their roles in promoting the growth of hosts.[Methods] Selective culture method was used to isolate Acetobacter; Gram-staining and 16S rRNA gene blast was used to identify strains. Intestinal colonization test was used to verify the commensalism. Developmental time and growth rate were used to evaluate the effect of the bacterial isolates on hosts' development. Immunofluorescence staining was used to check the mitosis in gut. RT-PCR was used to assess the molecular biomarker of development and development-associated cellular signaling.[Results] The strain was identified as Acetobacter orientalis and it colonized the gut of Drosophila and fly medium, and significantly promoted the growth of the host. Furthermore, Acetobacter orientalis enhanced the number of mitotic cells in gut, and promoted the secretion of growth hormone of hosts by regulating the insulin signal pathway.[Conclusion] Acetobacter orientalis was one of commensal bacteria of Drosophila, and maintained the structure of intestine and promote the growth of hosts.