Rapid induction of apoptosis functions to limit viral gene expression and proliferation.

<p><b>A.</b> The mRNA levels of AcMNPV immediate early gene <i>ie0</i> and <i>ie1</i> were examined at 6 hr post virus injection by Q-PCR in <i>Drosophila</i> larvae. The data indicate that in both p53−/− and IRER deficient strains that lack rapid induction of apoptosis, <i>ie0</i> and <i>ie1</i> expression levels were dramatically higher than in the wild type strain. Data are shown as mean± SD of two to three independent experiments. <b>B.</b> FHV RNA1 and RNA2 levels were examined at 24 hr post injection in wild type, p53−/− and Df(IRER) adults by Q-PCR. Note the significantly higher levels of RNA1 and RNA2 in p53−/− and Df(IRER) flies than in wild type flies. <b>C.</b> RNA1 and RNA2 levels were also higher when apoptosis was suppressed by knocking down the upstream caspase Dronc (Dronc KD) in the fat body cells (genotype LSP2-Gal4;UAS-dronc_RNAi) (*, p<0.05, **, p<0.01).