UASt regulatory sequences drive expression of a 500bp cDNA fragment from the 5' end of the SPE coding sequence, inserted as an inverted repeat (IR) in a modified pUAST vector, pUAST-R57, which includes a 282bp genomic fragment of Ret, containing introns 5 and 6 between the two IR fragments, to enhance the effect of RNAi.
Animals expressing SPEdsRNA.IR.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4c564 are immune-compromised and cannot encapsulate injected wasp eggs.
Expression of spedsRNA.IR.Scer\UAS, under the control of Scer\GAL4c564 does not affect activation of melanization during pupariation, nor does it suppress lethality induced by the inactivation of Spn27A.
Flies expressing spedsRNA.IR.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4c564 exhibit an immune-deficiency phenotype similar to Tl pathway mutants: these flies are highly susceptible to Enterococcus faecalis (gram-positive) and fail to properly induce Drs after infection with Micrococcus luteus (gram-positive).
Flies expressing spedsRNA.IR.Scer\UAS under the control of Scer\GAL4c564 exhibit an increased susceptibility to fungal infections.