Drosophila Viruses and Other Infections of Cultured Cells

This chapter focuses on Drosophila viruses and infections of cultured cells. The chapter begins with a discussion on Drosophila hereditary sigma (σ) virus and persistent infections with various arboviruses. The sigma virus is normally transmitted exclusively by inheritance and, although, in all other respects, it does not seem to be pathogenic for its host, it confers on the flies what was initially assumed to be a pathognomonic symptom— namely, a peculiar sensitivity to carbon dioxide. Brief exposure to this gas that is a simple method for anesthetizing Drosophila flies, results in rapid paralysis and death of certain (or infested) fly strains. Detailed information about sigma virus, vesicular stomatitis viruses, sindbis virus, and other arboviruses is presented in this chapter. The chapter further explains about the endogenous viruses of Drosophila and cell lines, such as picornaviridae, contaminant birnavirus X, and virus-like particles. The chapter also discusses efficient viral promoters in Drosophila cell lines, and experimental studies of parasite-host cell relations in Drosophila cell lines.