The evolution of Membrane Attack Complex / Perforin-like proteins in development and immunity

Membrane Attack Complex/Perforin-like (MACPF) proteins commonly play key roles in vertebrate immunity, however some family members play critical but poorly understood developmental roles. We have shown that the sole Drosophila MACPF protein, Torsolike, plays both developmental and immune roles. Here we aim to unravel how Torsolike functions in these dual roles by using a novel genetic screening approach to identify genes needed for its function. We also use comparative studies to probe alternative fucntions of Torsolike in a second insect, the honeybee. Our data will be pivotal for understanding how members of this family have evolved into proteins that are separately involved in immune defense and in development in higher vertebrates.