This family consists of several Drosophila species specific Turandot proteins. The Turandot A (TotA) gene encodes a humoral factor, which is secreted from the fat body and accumulates in the body fluids. TotA is strongly induced upon bacterial challenge, as well as by other types of stress such as high temperature, mechanical pressure, dehydration, UV irradiation, and oxidative agents. It is also up-regulated during metamorphosis and at high age. Flies that over-express TotA show prolonged survival and retain normal activity at otherwise lethal temperatures. Although TotA is only induced by severe stress, it responds to a much wider range of stimuli than heat shock genes such as hsp70 or immune genes such as Cecropin A1 [1].

1: A humoral stress response in Drosophila. Ekengren S, Tryselius Y, Dushay MS, Liu G, Steiner H, Hultmark D; Curr Biol 2001;11:714-718. PMID:11369236