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Delbare SYN, Jain AM, Clark AG, Wolfner MF. Transcriptional programs are activated and microRNAs are repressed within minutes after mating in the Drosophila melanogaster female reproductive tract. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:356. [PMID: 37370014 PMCID: PMC10294459 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09397-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The female reproductive tract is exposed directly to the male's ejaculate, making it a hotspot for mating-induced responses. In Drosophila melanogaster, changes in the reproductive tract are essential to optimize fertility. Many changes occur within minutes after mating, but such early timepoints are absent from published RNA-seq studies. We measured transcript abundances using RNA-seq and microRNA-seq of reproductive tracts of unmated and mated females collected at 10-15 min post-mating. We further investigated whether early transcriptome changes in the female reproductive tract are influenced by inhibiting BMPs in secondary cells, a condition that depletes exosomes from the male's ejaculate. RESULTS We identified 327 differentially expressed genes. These were mostly upregulated post-mating and have roles in tissue morphogenesis, wound healing, and metabolism. Differentially abundant microRNAs were mostly downregulated post-mating. We identified 130 predicted targets of these microRNAs among the differentially expressed genes. We saw no detectable effect of BMP inhibition in secondary cells on transcript levels in the female reproductive tract. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that mating induces early changes in the female reproductive tract primarily through upregulation of target genes, rather than repression. The upregulation of certain target genes might be mediated by the mating-induced downregulation of microRNAs. Male-derived exosomes and other BMP-dependent products were not uniquely essential for this process. Differentially expressed genes and microRNAs provide candidates that can be further examined for their participation in the earliest alterations of the reproductive tract microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Y N Delbare
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Asha M Jain
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Mariana F Wolfner
- Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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Taghert PH. The incidence of candidate binding sites for β-arrestin in Drosophila neuropeptide GPCRs. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275410. [PMID: 36318573 PMCID: PMC9624432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
To support studies of neuropeptide neuromodulation, I have studied beta-arrestin binding sites (BBS's) by evaluating the incidence of BBS sequences among the C terminal tails (CTs) of each of the 49 Drosophila melanogaster neuropeptide GPCRs. BBS were identified by matches with a prediction derived from structural analysis of rhodopsin:arrestin and vasopressin receptor: arrestin complexes [1]. To increase the rigor of the identification, I determined the conservation of BBS sequences between two long-diverged species D. melanogaster and D. virilis. There is great diversity in the profile of BBS's in this group of GPCRs. I present evidence for conserved BBS's in a majority of the Drosophila neuropeptide GPCRs; notably some have no conserved BBS sequences. In addition, certain GPCRs display numerous conserved compound BBS's, and many GPCRs display BBS-like sequences in their intracellular loop (ICL) domains as well. Finally, 20 of the neuropeptide GPCRs are expressed as protein isoforms that vary in their CT domains. BBS profiles are typically different across related isoforms suggesting a need to diversify and regulate the extent and nature of GPCR:arrestin interactions. This work provides the initial basis to initiate future in vivo, genetic analyses in Drosophila to evaluate the roles of arrestins in neuropeptide GPCR desensitization, trafficking and signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul H. Taghert
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Tian Y, Jiang C, Pan Y, Guo Z, Wang W, Luo X, Cao Z, Zhang B, Yang J, Shi Y, Zhou N, He X. Bombyx neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor A14 and A15 are two functional G protein-coupled receptors for CCHamide neuropeptides. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2021; 131:103553. [PMID: 33582278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
CCHamides are newly identified insect neuropeptides, which are widely occurring in most insects. However, our knowledge about their signaling characteristics and physiological roles is still limited. Here, we cloned two full-length cDNAs encoding putative CCHamide receptors, Bombyx neuropeptide GPCR A14 (BNGR-A14) and -A15 (BNGR-A15), from the brain of B. mori larvae. Characterization of signaling indicated that Bombyx CCHamide-1 and CCHamide-2 are specific endogenous ligands for BNGR-A15 and BNGR-A14, respectively. Further functional assays combined with specific inhibitors demonstrated that upon activation by CCHamide-2, BNGR-A14 elicited significant increases in CRE-driven luciferase activity, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a Gq inhibitor-sensitive manner, while BNGR-A15 was activated by CCHamide-1, thus leading to intracellular accumulation of cAMP, Ca2+ mobilization, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a Gs and Gq inhibitor-sensitive manner. Based on these findings, we designated the receptors BNGR-A15 and -A14 as Bommo-CCHaR-1 and -2, respectively. In addition, our results showed that CCHamides are considered to require intrachain disulfide bonds to activate their respective receptor in the physiological concentration range. Moreover, quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that CCHamide-1 is more likely to serve as a brain-gut peptide to regulate feeding behavior and growth through BNGR-A15, whereas the CCHamide-2 signaling system might play an important role in the control of multiple physiological processes. Our findings provide in-depth information on CCHamide-1 and -2-mediated signaling, facilitating further elucidation of their endocrinological roles in the regulation of fundamental physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Tian
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Chaohui Jiang
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Yi Pan
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Zhiqiang Guo
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Xumei Luo
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Zheng Cao
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316022, China
| | - Jingwen Yang
- National Engineering Research Center of Marine Facilities Aquaculture, College of Marine Science, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316022, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Naiming Zhou
- Institute of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Zijingang Campus, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China.
| | - Xiaobai He
- College of Biotechnology, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212018, China.
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Perez-Vale KZ, Peifer M. Orchestrating morphogenesis: building the body plan by cell shape changes and movements. Development 2020; 147:dev191049. [PMID: 32917667 PMCID: PMC7502592 DOI: 10.1242/dev.191049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
During embryonic development, a simple ball of cells re-shapes itself into the elaborate body plan of an animal. This requires dramatic cell shape changes and cell movements, powered by the contractile force generated by actin and myosin linked to the plasma membrane at cell-cell and cell-matrix junctions. Here, we review three morphogenetic events common to most animals: apical constriction, convergent extension and collective cell migration. Using the fruit fly Drosophila as an example, we discuss recent work that has revealed exciting new insights into the molecular mechanisms that allow cells to change shape and move without tearing tissues apart. We also point out parallel events at work in other animals, which suggest that the mechanisms underlying these morphogenetic processes are conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kia Z Perez-Vale
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Mark Peifer
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#3280, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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Martin AC. The Physical Mechanisms of Drosophila Gastrulation: Mesoderm and Endoderm Invagination. Genetics 2020; 214:543-560. [PMID: 32132154 PMCID: PMC7054018 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.301292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A critical juncture in early development is the partitioning of cells that will adopt different fates into three germ layers: the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm. This step is achieved through the internalization of specified cells from the outermost surface layer, through a process called gastrulation. In Drosophila, gastrulation is achieved through cell shape changes (i.e., apical constriction) that change tissue curvature and lead to the folding of a surface epithelium. Folding of embryonic tissue results in mesoderm and endoderm invagination, not as individual cells, but as collective tissue units. The tractability of Drosophila as a model system is best exemplified by how much we know about Drosophila gastrulation, from the signals that pattern the embryo to the molecular components that generate force, and how these components are organized to promote cell and tissue shape changes. For mesoderm invagination, graded signaling by the morphogen, Spätzle, sets up a gradient in transcriptional activity that leads to the expression of a secreted ligand (Folded gastrulation) and a transmembrane protein (T48). Together with the GPCR Mist, which is expressed in the mesoderm, and the GPCR Smog, which is expressed uniformly, these signals activate heterotrimeric G-protein and small Rho-family G-protein signaling to promote apical contractility and changes in cell and tissue shape. A notable feature of this signaling pathway is its intricate organization in both space and time. At the cellular level, signaling components and the cytoskeleton exhibit striking polarity, not only along the apical-basal cell axis, but also within the apical domain. Furthermore, gene expression controls a highly choreographed chain of events, the dynamics of which are critical for primordium invagination; it does not simply throw the cytoskeletal "on" switch. Finally, studies of Drosophila gastrulation have provided insight into how global tissue mechanics and movements are intertwined as multiple tissues simultaneously change shape. Overall, these studies have contributed to the view that cells respond to forces that propagate over great distances, demonstrating that cellular decisions, and, ultimately, tissue shape changes, proceed by integrating cues across an entire embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam C Martin
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142
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