Diversification and recurrent adaptation of the synaptonemal complex in Drosophila

PLoS Genetics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 21(1), P. e1011549 - e1011549

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a protein-rich structure essential for meiotic recombination and faithful chromosome segregation. Acting like zipper to paired homologous chromosomes during early prophase I, the symmetrical where central elements are connected on two sides by transverse filaments chromatin-anchoring lateral elements. Despite being found in most major eukaryotic taxa implying deeply conserved evolutionary origin, several components of exhibit unusually high rates sequence turnover. This puzzlingly exemplified SC Drosophila , display no identifiable homologs outside genus. Here, we exhaustively examine history taking comparative phylogenomic approach with species density circumvent obscured homology due rapid evolution. Contrasting starkly against other genes involved pairing, show significantly elevated coding evolution combination relaxed constraint recurrent, widespread positive selection. In particular, element cona filament c(3) G have diversified through tandem retro-duplications, repeatedly generating paralogs novel germline activity. striking case molecular convergence, that independently arose distant lineages evolved under selection convergent truncations protein termini testes expression. Surprisingly, expression prone change suggesting recurrent regulatory which, many species, resulted even though males achiasmic. Overall, our study recapitulates poor conservation components, further uncovers lack extends modalities including copy number, genomic locale, regulation. Considering common ancestor, suggest activity male germline, while still poorly understood, may be prime target constant pressures driving repeated adaptations innovations.

Language: Английский

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Sex peptide receptor is not required for refractoriness to remating or induction of egg laying in Aedes aegypti

Genetics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 227(1)

Published: March 29, 2024

Across diverse insect taxa, the behavior and physiology of females dramatically changes after mating-processes largely triggered by transfer seminal proteins from their mates. In vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, protein sex peptide (SP) decreases likelihood female flies remating causes additional behavioral physiological that promote fertility including increasing egg production. Although SP is only found in genus, its receptor, receptor (SPR), widely conserved myoinhibitory (MIP) receptor. To test functional role SPR mediating postmating responses a non-Drosophila dipteran, we generated 2 independent Spr-knockout alleles yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. needed for cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera, Spr mutant Ae. aegypti show completely normal propensity increases laying. addition, injection synthetic or accessory gland homogenate D. melanogaster into virgin mosquitoes did not elicit these responses. Our results demonstrate required canonical aegypti, indicating other, as yet unknown, signaling pathways are likely responsible switches this disease vector.

Language: Английский

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Is variation in female aggressiveness across Drosophila species associated with reproductive potential?

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2044)

Published: April 1, 2025

Aggression is a key determinant of fitness in many species, mediating access to mates, food and breeding sites. Variation intrasexual aggression across species likely be driven by variation resource availability distribution. While males primarily compete over females are resources maximize offspring quantity and/or quality, such as or To date, however, most studies have focused on male aggression, we know little about drivers female species. investigate potential reproductive tested the relationship between three traits eight Drosophila Using machine learning classifiers developed for melanogaster , quantified aggressive behaviours displayed presence yeast mated unmated females. We found that was correlated with ovariole number suggesting who lay more eggs aggressive. A need egg production oviposition sites may therefore though other hypotheses discussed.

Language: Английский

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The Origin and Evolution of Sex Peptide and Sex Peptide Receptor Interactions

Molecular Biology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 41(4)

Published: March 22, 2024

Post-mating responses play a vital role in successful reproduction across diverse species. In fruit flies, sex peptide binds to the receptor, triggering series of post-mating responses. However, origin receptor predates emergence peptide. The evolutionary origins interactions between and mechanisms by which they interact remain enigmatic. this study, we used ancestral sequence reconstruction, AlphaFold2 predictions, molecular dynamics simulations study peptide-sex their origination. Using long-time simulations, predicted structure interactions. We show that potentially states Diptera receptor. Notably, found only few amino acid changes are sufficient for formation Ancestral reconstruction further reveal interacts with through residues mostly involved interaction interface an ligand, myoinhibitory peptides. propose potential mechanism whereby arise from preexisting peptides-sex as well early chance events both inside outside created novel peptide-specific Our findings provide new insights into evolution relationship

Language: Английский

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Male Reproductive Glands and Their Secretions in Insects

Elsevier eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Optimal polyandry in fruit flies

Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 14, 2024

Abstract The study of polyandry has received increasing scientific attention with an emphasis on the fitness benefits and costs that females derive from mating multiple males. There are still gaps in our understanding how affects female fitness, however, as many previous studies compared outcomes a single vs. 2 or 3 matings did not separate consequences sexual harassment. We, therefore, conducted controlled trials fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) could mate at either low (every 8 days), medium 4 high other day) rates while controlling for exposure to harassment We found lifetime was highest under mating-rate followed by conditions. Moreover, we detect reductions lifespan consequence higher polyandry. Our results demonstrate even realistically rates, can lead net females, which have major implications selection. Specifically, discuss significance findings they relate competition evolution secondary sex characteristics sperm among

Language: Английский

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Can seminal fluid proteins be honest signals of sperm availability?

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 29, 2024

Abstract Seminal fluid proteins (Sfps) are produced by males, yet they have significant effects on female physiology and behaviour. Sfps often viewed as a mechanism for males to manipulate reproductive behaviours, but despite many studies identifying their varied molecular underpinnings, the ways females use remain unclear. In most studied case of Drosophila melanogaster particular peptides within seminal been identified guide reproduction: sex peptide (SP, Acp70A) is known induce changes in egg production, oviposition remating attached sperm continuously supplied days after mating, while ovulation inducing peptide, ovulin (Acp26Aa), free with only short term mating. Using biologically informed model we show how these can synchronize release, hence reducing number unfertilized eggs lays. We further that exhaustion SP might be key signal this synchronization. Finally, demonstrate sexual conflict over regulation should limited, primary probably centring around

Language: Английский

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Regional specialization, polyploidy, and seminal fluid transcripts in the Drosophila female reproductive tract

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 121(44)

Published: Oct. 25, 2024

Sexual reproduction requires the choreographed interaction of female cells and molecules with sperm seminal fluid. In internally fertilizing animals, these interactions are managed by specialized tissues within reproductive tract (FRT), such as a uterus, glands, storage organs. However, somatic remain understudied, hindering insight into molecular that support fertility. Here, we report identification, characterization, analysis cell types throughout FRT in premier

Language: Английский

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A novel male accessory gland peptide reduces female post-mating receptivity in the brown planthopper

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 27, 2024

Abstract Mating in insects commonly induces a profound change the physiology and behavior of female that serves to secure numerous viable offspring ensure paternity for male by reducing receptivity further mating attempts. Here, we set out characterize post-mating response (PMR) pest insect, brown planthopper (BPH) Nilaparvata lugens identify functional analog sex peptide (SP) and/or other seminal fluid factors contribute PMR Drosophila . We find BPHs display distinct lasts about 4 days includes with decreased males increased oviposition. Extract from accessory glands (MAG) injected into virgin females triggers similar PMR, lasting 24h. Since SP does not exist BPHs, screened candidate mediators performing transcriptional proteomics analysis MAG extract. identified novel 51 amino acid present only BPHs. This peptide, designate maccessin (macc), affects PMR. Females mated macc knockdown wild type second mating, which occur controls. However, oviposition is affected. Injection recombinant reduces receptivity, no effect on Thus, so far promotes Our suggests gene encoding precursor restricted species closely related Author summary In insects, often long-lasting physiology, called (PMR). ensures offspring, but also inhibiting demonstrate , displays egg laying. furthermore extracted gland generates Next, unique (designated maccessin) this responsible reduced affect The appears close relatives N. factor, known induce occurs limited number species.

Language: Английский

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Seminal fluid proteins in the Queensland fruit fly: tissue origins, effects of mating and comparative genomics

Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 104247 - 104247

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

In many insect species, the ability of males to inhibit their mates from remating is an important component fitness. This also essential for effective management pests, including tephritid fruit flies, using Sterile Insect Technique. Here we apply transcriptomics and proteomics male reproductive tissues before after mating characterize components semen that might mediate inhibition in Queensland fly. We found 144 genes whose transcripts were enriched, or proteins expressed, tissue which varied amount mating. Some associated with testes, accessory glands ejaculatory apodeme, but those apodeme over-represented compared not enriched responsive. These included 13 related clustered within one Mb on chromosome 5. Functional annotations implicated a broad range biochemical processes genes/proteins responsive, cuticle structure most commonly among subset these apodeme-enriched kinase involved vitellogenesis genes. did find homolog much studied Drosophila melanogaster Sex Peptide comparative genomics indicated some tissue-enriched, responsive rapidly evolving tephritids (including fly lineage), suggesting recent adaptation new functional niches. Our results provide set candidate mediators further testing.

Language: Английский

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