Valve function in Drosophila

In vertebrates, which harbor a closed circulatory system, intracardiac valves regulate the directionality of blood flow and valve failure or dysfunction can result in diminished heart functionality. Compared to vertebrates, invertebrate hearts exhibit rather simple valves. In Drosophila, which like all insects, has an open circulatory system, each valve consists of two contralaterally located cells with a unique histology. To date, no report has described in detail the biomechanical functionality of valve cells in Drosophila. A new study in PLoS Genetics investigated the physiological consequences of cardiac valve malformation induced by genetic manipulation in Drosophila. The findings notably show that a reduction in deformation capability of valve cells in mutant flies decreased luminal opening, resulting in decreased transport and distribution of hemolymph in the body and impaired heart performance. This study highlights for the first time the physiological importance of cardiac valves in an invertebrate model organism and calls for further research on hemodynamics in insects and the role of valves cells in circulation.

Original reference: Meyer, C. & Paululat, A. PLoS Genet. 21, e1011613 (2025)