The Drosophila copper transporter Ctr1C functions in male fertility

Trace and essential elements as vital components to improve the performance of the male reproductive system: Implications in cell signaling pathways

Successful male fertilization requires the main processes such as normal spermatogenesis, sperm capacitation, hyperactivation, and acrosome reaction. The progress of these processes depends on some endogenous and exogenous factors. So, the optimal level of ions and essential and rare elements such as selenium, zinc, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, and so on in various types of cells of the reproductive system could affect conception and male fertility rates. The function of trace elements in the male reproductive system could be exerted through some cellular and molecular processes, such as the management of active oxygen species, involvement in the action of membrane channels, regulation of enzyme activity, regulation of gene expression and hormone levels, and modulation of signaling cascades. In this review, we aim to summarize the available evidence on the role of trace elements in improving male reproductive performance. Also, special attention is paid to the cellular aspects and the involved molecular signaling cascades.

The interplay between copper metabolism and microbes: in perspective of host copper-dependent ATPases ATP7A/B

Copper, a vital element in various physiological processes, is transported from the gastrointestinal tract to tissues and cells through diverse copper transporters. Among these transporters, ATP7A and ATP7B play significant roles in regulating systemic copper metabolism and exhibit precise regulation in their intracellular trafficking. These transporters undergo dynamic shuttling between the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the plasma membrane via the endocytic recycling mechanism, which involves the retromer and other associated factors. Interestingly, the antimicrobial attribute of copper implies a potential connection between microbial infection and copper metabolism. Several microbes, including Salmonella enterica, Cryptococcus, Influenza A virus (IAV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) have been observed to impact the regulatory mechanisms of ATP7A/B, either directly or indirectly, as a means of survival. This review summarizes the key features and trafficking mechanisms of the copper transporters ATP7A/B, and examines the intricate interplay between microbes and copper metabolism. Ultimately, it highlights how microbes can perturb copper homeostasis through interactions with host factors, offering valuable insights into the mechanistic aspects of host-microbe interactions.

The Effects of Essential and Non-Essential Metal Toxicity in the Drosophila melanogaster Insect Model: A Review

The biological effects of environmental metal contamination are important issues in an industrialized, resource-dependent world. Different metals have different roles in biology and can be classified as essential if they are required by a living organism (e.g., as cofactors), or as non-essential metals if they are not. While essential metal ions have been well studied in many eukaryotic species, less is known about the effects of non-essential metals, even though essential and non-essential metals are often chemically similar and can bind to the same biological ligands. Insects are often exposed to a variety of contaminated environments and associated essential and non-essential metal toxicity, but many questions regarding their response to toxicity remain unanswered. Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent insect model species in which to study the effects of toxic metal due to the extensive experimental and genetic resources available for this species. Here, we review the current understanding of the impact of a suite of essential and non-essential metals (Cu, Fe, Zn, Hg, Pb, Cd, and Ni) on the D. melanogaster metal response system, highlighting the knowledge gaps between essential and non-essential metals in D. melanogaster. This review emphasizes the need to use multiple metals, multiple genetic backgrounds, and both sexes in future studies to help guide future research towards better understanding the effects of metal contamination in general.

Molecular Regulation of Copper Homeostasis in the Male Gonad during the Process of Spermatogenesis

Owing to its redox properties, copper is a cofactor of enzymes that catalyze reactions in fundamental metabolic processes. However, copper-oxygen interaction, which is a source of toxic oxygen radicals generated by the Fenton reaction, makes copper a doubled-edged-sword in an oxygen environment. Among the microelements influencing male fertility, copper plays a special role because both copper deficiency and overload in the gonads worsen spermatozoa quality and disturb reproductive function in mammals. Male gametes are produced during spermatogenesis, a multi-step process that consumes large amounts of oxygen. Germ cells containing a high amount of unsaturated fatty acids in their membranes are particularly vulnerable to excess copper-mediated oxidative stress. In addition, an appropriate copper level is necessary to initiate meiosis in premeiotic germ cells. The balance between essential and toxic copper concentrations in germ cells at different stages of spermatogenesis and in Sertoli cells that support their development is handled by a network of copper importers, chaperones, recipient proteins, and exporters. Here, we describe coordinated regulation/functioning of copper-binding proteins expressed in germ and Sertoli cells with special emphasis on copper transporters, copper transporting ATPases, and SOD1, a copper-dependent antioxidant enzyme. These and other proteins assure copper bioavailability in germ cells and protection against copper toxicity.

Copper(II) Binding by the Earliest Vertebrate Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone, the Type II Isoform, Suggests an Ancient Role for the Metal

In vertebrate reproductive biology copper can influence peptide and protein function both in the pituitary and in the gonads. In the pituitary, copper binds to the key reproductive peptides gonadotropin-releasing hormone I (GnRH-I) and neurokinin B, to modify their structure and function, and in the male gonads, copper plays a role in testosterone production, sperm morphology and, thus, fertility. In addition to GnRH-I, most vertebrates express a second isoform, GnRH-II. GnRH-II can promote testosterone release in some species and has other non-reproductive roles. The primary sequence of GnRH-II has remained largely invariant over millennia, and it is considered the ancestral GnRH peptide in vertebrates. In this work, we use a range of spectroscopic techniques to show that, like GnRH-I, GnRH-II can bind copper. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the proposed copper-binding ligands are retained in GnRH-II peptides from all vertebrates, suggesting that copper-binding is an ancient feature of GnRH peptides.

Molecular machinery providing copper bioavailability for spermatozoa along the epididymial tubule in mouse

Progressive functional maturation of spermatozoa is completed during the transit of these cells through the epididymis, a tubule structure connecting a testicle to a vas deferens. Epididymal epithelial cells by means of their secretory and absorptive functions determine a highly specialized luminal microenvironment containing multiple organic and inorganic components. The latter include copper ions, which due to their redox properties are indispensable for critical homeostatic processes occurring in spermatozoa floating in different part of epididymis but can be potentially toxic. Main purpose of our study was to determine epididymal region-dependent expression and localization of copper transporters ensuring a tight control of copper concentration in epididymal fluid. We also aimed at identifying proteins responsible for copper uptake by spermatozoa and verifying whether this process is coordinated with copper supply to superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), a copper-dependent antioxidant enzyme. Our study identifies two ATPases-ATP7A, ATP7B and Slc31a1, major copper importers/exporters depending on their differential expression on epididymal polarized epithelial cells of the caput, corpus, and cauda. Next, ceruloplasmin seems to be a chief protein transporting copper in the epididymal fluid and providing this biometal to spermatozoa. The entry of copper to germ cells is mediated by Slc31a1 and is correlated with both expressions of copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase (CCS), copper chaperone directly providing copper ions to SOD1 and with the expression and activity of the latter. Our results outline a network of cooperating copper binding proteins expressed in epididymal epithelium and in spermatozoa that orchestrate bioavailability of this microelement for gametes and protect them against copper toxicity.

Local and Physiological Control of Germline Stem Cell Lineages in Drosophila melanogaster

The long-term survival of any multicellular species depends on the success of its germline in producing high-quality gametes and maximizing survival of the offspring. Studies in Drosophila melanogaster have led our growing understanding of how germline stem cell (GSC) lineages maintain their function and adjust their behavior according to varying environmental and/or physiological conditions. This review compares and contrasts the local regulation of GSCs by their specialized microenvironments, or niches; discusses how diet and diet-dependent factors, mating, and microorganisms modulate GSCs and their developing progeny; and briefly describes the tie between physiology and development during the larval phase of the germline cycle. Finally, it concludes with broad comparisons with other organisms and some future directions for further investigation.

Effects of single and mixture exposure of cadmium and copper in apoptosis and immune related genes at transcriptional level on the midge Chironomus riparius Meigen (Diptera, Chironomidae)

Metals and heavy metals are natural contaminants with an increasing presence in aquatic ecosystems as a result of human activities. Although they are mixed in the water, research is usually focused on analyzing them in isolation, so there is a lack of knowledge about their combined effects. The aim of this work was to assess the damage produced by mixtures of cadmium and copper, two frequent metals used in industry, in the harlequin midge Chironomus riparius (Diptera). The effects of acute doses of cadmium and copper were evaluated in fourth instar larvae by analyzing the mRNA levels of six genes related to apoptosis (DRONC, IAP1), immune system (PO1, Defensin), stress (Gp93), and copper homeostasis (Ctr1). DRONC, Ctr1, and IAP1 transcripts are described here for first time in this species. Individual fourth instar larvae were submitted to 10 μM, 1 μM and 0.1 μM of CdCl₂ or CuCl_2, and mixture. The employed individuals came from different egg masses. Real-time PCR analysis showed a complex pattern of alterations in transcriptional activity for two genes, DRONC and Gp93, while the rest of them did not show any statistically significant differences. The effector caspase DRONC showed upregulation with the highest concentration tested of the mixture. In case of gp93, chaperone involved in regulation of immune response, differences in expression levels were found with 1 and 10 μM Cu and 0.1 and 10 μM of mixtures, compared to control samples. These results suggest that mixtures affect the transcriptional activity differently and produce changes in apoptosis and stress processes, although it is also possible that Gp93 alteration could be related to the immune system since it is homologous to human protein Gp96, which has been related with Toll-like receptors. In conclusion, cadmium and copper mixtures can affect the population by affecting the ability of larvae to respond to the infection and the apoptosis, an important process in the metamorphosis of insects.

Copper transporter 1 (CTR1) expression by mouse testicular germ cells, but not Sertoli cells, is essential for functional spermatogenesis

An imbalance in copper (Cu) tissue homeostasis has a degenerative effect on spermatogenesis and male fertility. The high-affinity Cu transporter 1 (CTR1; SLC31A1) is the major protein responsible for Cu acquisition in eukaryotes and is highly expressed in mouse testes. Studies on yeast and Drosophila have demonstrated the conserved essential function of Cu and CTR1 for meiosis and fertility, implying that CTR1 may play an essential function in mammalian spermatogenesis. In mice, spermatogenesis takes place within the seminiferous epithelium, where tight junctions between somatic Sertoli cells (SCs) create a specialized microenvironment for the development of meiotic germ cells (GCs) by tightly regulating the free transport of metabolites and ions to reach these cells. Here, it is demonstrated that within the seminiferous epithelium, CTR1 is expressed on the membrane of primary pachytene spermatocytes and SCs. To examine the physiological significance of CTR1 in spermatogenesis, mice with a GC-specific (Ctr1ΔGC) and SC-specific (Ctr1ΔSC) disruption of the Ctr1 gene were generated. The testis of Ctr1ΔGC mice exhibits a severe progressive loss of GCs starting at postnatal day (PND) 28 leading to testis hypoplasia by adulthood. No spermatogenic recovery was observed in Ctr1ΔGC testis beyond PND 41, despite the presence of FOXO-1 expressing undifferentiated spermatogonial cells. However, Ctr1ΔSC mice displayed functional spermatogenesis and were fertile, even though testicular Cu levels and Cu-dependent cellular activities were significantly reduced. These results reveal, for the first time, the importance of CTR1 expression by GCs for maintaining functional spermatogenesis.

OsYSL16 is Required for Preferential Cu Distribution to Floral Organs in Rice

Deficiency of copper (Cu) causes low fertility in many plant species, but the molecular mechanisms underlying distribution of Cu to the floral organs are poorly understood. Here, we found that a member of yellow-stripe like (YSL) family, YSL16 encoding the Cu-nicotianamine (Cu-NA) transporter, was highly expressed in the rachilla, with less expression in the palea and lemma of rice (Oryza sativa). β-Glucuronidase (GUS) staining of transgenic rice carrying the OsYSL16 promoter-GUS showed that OsYSL16 was mainly expressed in vascular bundles of the rachilla as well as the palea and lemma. Knockout of OsYSL16 resulted in decreased Cu distribution to the stamens, but increased distribution to the palea and lemma. A short-term (24 h) 65Cu labeling experiment confirmed increased Cu concentration of palea and lemma in the mutant. Furthermore, we found that redistribution of Cu from the palea and lemma was impaired in the osysl16 mutant after exposure to Cu-free solution. The osysl16 mutant showed low pollen germination, but this was rescued by addition of Cu in the medium. Our results indicate that OsYSL16 expressed in the vascular bundles of the rachilla is important for preferential distribution of Cu to the stamens, while OsYSL16 in vascular bundles of the palea and lemma is involved in Cu redistribution under Cu-limited conditions in rice.

Atp7a and Atp7b regulate copper homeostasis in developing male germ cells in mice

The maintenance of copper homeostasis is critical for all cells. As learned from mice with disturbed copper metabolism, this trace element is also important for spermatogenesis. The experiments conducted in yeasts have demonstrated that appropriate copper level must be preserved to enable meiosis progression; however, increased copper level is toxic for cells. This study aims to analyze the expression profile of Atp7a and Atp7b and other genes encoding copper-related proteins during spermatogenesis in mice. Using the transcripts and protein detection techniques, we demonstrate that within seminiferous tubuli, ATP7A is mainly present in early meiotic germ cells (leptotene to pachytene spermatocytes) and in Sertoli cells (SCs). During spermatogenesis, the progression Atp7a expression profile corresponds to Slc31a1 (encoding copper importer CTR1) and Atox1 (encoding chaperon protein, which delivers copper from CTR1 to ATP7A and ATP7B) expression, suggesting that male germ cells retrieve copper and ATP7A protects them from copper overdose. In contrast, ATP7B protein is observed in SCs and near elongated spermatids; thus, its function seems to be related to copper extraction during spermiogenesis. This is the first study to give a comprehensive view on the activity of copper-related genes during spermatogenesis in mice.

Copper and Zinc Homeostasis: Lessons from Drosophila melanogaster

Maintenance of metal homeostasis is crucial for many different enzymatic activities and in turn for cell function and survival. In addition, cells display detoxification and protective mechanisms against toxic accumulation of metals. Perturbation of any of these processes normally leads to cellular dysfunction and finally to cell death. In the last years, loss of metal regulation has been described as a common pathological feature in many human neurodegenerative diseases. However, in most cases, it is still a matter of debate whether such dyshomeostasis is a primary or a secondary downstream defect. In this review, we will summarize and critically evaluate the contribution of Drosophila to model human diseases that involve altered metabolism of metals or in which metal dyshomeostasis influence their pathobiology. As a prerequisite to use Drosophila as a model, we will recapitulate and describe the main features of core genes involved in copper and zinc metabolism that are conserved between mammals and flies. Drosophila presents some unique strengths to be at the forefront of neurobiological studies. The number of genetic tools, the possibility to easily test genetic interactions in vivo and the feasibility to perform unbiased genetic and pharmacological screens are some of the most prominent advantages of the fruitfly. In this work, we will pay special attention to the most important results reported in fly models to unveil the role of copper and zinc in cellular degeneration and their influence in the development and progression of human neurodegenerative pathologies such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Friedreich's Ataxia or Menkes, and Wilson's diseases. Finally, we show how these studies performed in the fly have allowed to give further insight into the influence of copper and zinc in the molecular and cellular causes and consequences underlying these diseases as well as the discovery of new therapeutic strategies, which had not yet been described in other model systems.

Gene duplication and neo-functionalization in the evolutionary and functional divergence of the metazoan copper transporters Ctr1 and Ctr2

Copper is an essential element for proper organismal development and is involved in a range of processes, including oxidative phosphorylation, neuropeptide biogenesis, and connective tissue maturation. The copper transporter (Ctr) family of integral membrane proteins is ubiquitously found in eukaryotes and mediates the high-affinity transport of Cu+ across both the plasma membrane and endomembranes. Although mammalian Ctr1 functions as a Cu+ transporter for Cu acquisition and is essential for embryonic development, a homologous protein, Ctr2, has been proposed to function as a low-affinity Cu transporter, a lysosomal Cu exporter, or a regulator of Ctr1 activity, but its functional and evolutionary relationship to Ctr1 is unclear. Here we report a biochemical, genetic, and phylogenetic comparison of metazoan Ctr1 and Ctr2, suggesting that Ctr2 arose over 550 million years ago as a result of a gene duplication event followed by loss of Cu+ transport activity. Using a random mutagenesis and growth selection approach, we identified amino acid substitutions in human and mouse Ctr2 proteins that support copper-dependent growth in yeast and enhance copper accumulation in Ctr1-/- mouse embryonic fibroblasts. These mutations revert Ctr2 to a more ancestral Ctr1-like state while maintaining endogenous functions, such as stimulating Ctr1 cleavage. We suggest key structural aspects of metazoan Ctr1 and Ctr2 that discriminate between their biological roles, providing mechanistic insights into the evolutionary, biochemical, and functional relationships between these two related proteins.

Expression of the copper transporters hCtr1, ATP7A and ATP7B is associated with the response to chemotherapy and survival time in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer

Copper transporter family proteins may regulate the chemoresistance of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to platinum-based anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of these proteins in lung cancer tissue specimens for association with clinicopathological data and patient responses to chemotherapy and survival. A total of 54 patients with surgically resected NSCLC that received first-line platinum-based doublet chemotherapy were recruited in the present study, and the paraffin-embedded pre-treatment tumor tissue specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for the expression of human copper transporter 1 (hCtr1) and copper-transporting p-type adenosine triphosphatase 1 (ATP7A) and 2 (ATP7B). This cohort of patients with NSCLC received platinum-based chemotherapy subsequent to the surgical removal of tumor lesions. ATP7B expression was found to be significantly associated with tumor cell differentiation, while hCtr1 expression was significantly associated with improved chemotherapeutic responses. The median survival time was 20 months in patients possessing tumors with high ATP7A expression, but >66 months in patients possessing tumors with low ATP7A expression at the end of the follow-up (P<0.001). The median survival time at the end of the follow-up was 15 months in patients with low tumor hCtr1 expression, but >66 months in patients with high tumor hCtr1 expression (P<0.001). High hCtr1 and low ATP7A expression were each favorable prognostic factors subsequent to chemotherapy for patients with resected NSCLC. Multivariate analysis revealed that high hCtr1 expression combined with low ATP7A expression, good tumor differentiation and female gender were all favorable independent predictive and prognostic factors for patients with resected NSCLC following chemotherapy. High hCtr1 expression combined with low ATP7A expression was associated with an improved prognosis in patients with resected NSCLC that received platinum-based chemotherapy. Surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy may improve the survival time of patients with NSCLC.

What can flies tell us about copper homeostasis?

Copper (Cu) is an essential redox active metal that is potentially toxic in excess. Multicellular organisms acquire Cu from the diet and must regulate uptake, storage, distribution and export of Cu at both the cellular and organismal levels. Systemic Cu deficiency can be fatal, as seen in Menkes disease patients. Conversely Cu toxicity occurs in patients with Wilson disease. Cu dyshomeostasis has also been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Over the last decade, the fly Drosophila melanogaster has become an important model organism for the elucidation of eukaryotic Cu regulatory mechanisms. Gene discovery approaches with Drosophila have identified novel genes with conserved protein functions relevant to Cu homeostasis in humans. This review focuses on our current understanding of Cu uptake, distribution and export in Drosophila and the implications for mammals.

Copper-transporting ATPase is important for malaria parasite fertility

Homeostasis of the trace element copper is essential to all eukaryotic life. Copper serves as a cofactor in metalloenzymes and catalyses electron transfer reactions as well as the generation of potentially toxic reactive oxygen species. Here, we describe the functional characterization of an evolutionarily highly conserved, predicted copper-transporting P-type ATPase (CuTP) in the murine malaria model parasite Plasmodium berghei. Live imaging of a parasite line expressing a fluorescently tagged CuTP demonstrated that CuTP is predominantly located in vesicular bodies of the parasite. A P. berghei loss-of-function mutant line was readily obtained and showed no apparent defect in in vivo blood stage growth. Parasite transmission through the mosquito vector was severely affected, but not entirely abolished. We show that male and female gametocytes are abundant in cutp⁻ parasites, but activation of male microgametes and exflagellation were strongly impaired. This specific defect could be mimicked by addition of the copper chelator neocuproine to wild-type gametocytes. A cross-fertilization assay demonstrated that female fertility was also severely abrogated. In conclusion, we provide experimental genetic and pharmacological evidence that a healthy copper homeostasis is critical to malaria parasite fertility of both genders of gametocyte and, hence, to transmission to the mosquito vector.

Copper: a biphasic regulator of caprine sperm forward progression

Copper is essential for spermatogenesis and its presence has been demonstrated in male and female reproductive fluids in several mammalian species. However, little is known about the physiological significance of this trace element in the regulation of forward progression of mammalian sperm cells which is essential for sperm fertility potential in vivo. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the physiological role of the bivalent copper ion (Cu(2+)) on mammalian sperm forward motility using a chemically-defined medium and caprine cauda epididymal sperm model. Sperm forward motility was significantly enhanced by Cu(2+) in a dose-dependent manner; maximal activation (approx 20%) was noted at the 5 µM level of the metal. Above 10 µM Cu(2+) sperm motility decreased, showing that Cu(2+) exerts a biphasic regulation on sperm motility. These findings have been confirmed using a spectrophotometric motility assay, an objective method of motility analysis. At lower concentrations (up to 5 µM), copper enhanced sperm membrane lipid peroxidation as well as the level of intra-sperm cyclic adenosine mono phosphate (c-AMP), but at a higher level it caused marked inhibition of both of the biochemical parameters. The observed correlation of Cu(2+)-dependent biphasic modulation of sperm membrane lipid peroxidation and intrasperm c-AMP with sperm forward motility is consistent with the view that Cu(2+) regulation of sperm motility is mediated by membrane lipid peroxidation, which in turn modulates the level of intra-sperm c-AMP, a well-known activator of sperm motility.

Metal ions in macrophage antimicrobial pathways: emerging roles for zinc and copper

The immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties of zinc and copper have long been appreciated. In addition, these metal ions are also essential for microbial growth and survival. This presents opportunities for the host to either harness their antimicrobial properties or limit their availability as defence strategies. Recent studies have shed some light on mechanisms by which copper and zinc regulation contribute to host defence, but there remain many unanswered questions at the cellular and molecular levels. Here we review the roles of these two metal ions in providing protection against infectious diseases in vivo, and in regulating innate immune responses. In particular, we focus on studies implicating zinc and copper in macrophage antimicrobial pathways, as well as the specific host genes encoding zinc transporters (SLC30A, SLC39A family members) and CTRs (copper transporters, ATP7 family members) that may contribute to pathogen control by these cells.

Inhibition of human high-affinity copper importer Ctr1 orthologous in the nervous system of Drosophila ameliorates Aβ42-induced Alzheimer's disease-like symptoms

Disruption of copper homeostasis has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) during the last 2 decades; however, whether copper is a friend or a foe is controversial. Within a genetically tractable Drosophila AD model, we manipulated the expression of human high-affinity copper importer orthologous in Drosophila to explore the in vivo roles of copper ions in the development of AD. We found that inhibition of Ctr1C expression by RNAi in Aβ-expressing flies significantly reduced copper accumulation in the brains of the flies as well as ameliorating neurodegeneration, enhancing climbing ability, and prolonging lifespan. Interestingly, Ctr1C inhibition led to a significant increase in higher-molecular-weight Aβ42 forms in brain lysates, whereas it was accompanied by a trend of decreased expression of amyloid-β degradation proteases (including NEP1-3 and IDE) with age and reduced Cu-Aβ interaction-induced oxidative stress in Ctr1C RNAi flies. Similar results were obtained from inhibiting another copper importer Ctr1B and overexpressing a copper exporter DmATP7 in the nervous system of AD flies. These results imply that copper may play a causative role in developing AD, as either Aβ oligomers or aggregates were less toxic in a reduced copper environment or one with less copper binding. Early manipulation of brain copper uptake can have a great effect on Aβ pathology.

Dissection of Drosophila MTF-1 reveals a domain for differential target gene activation upon copper overload vs. copper starvation

Metal-responsive transcription factor-1 (MTF-1) is a zinc finger protein conserved from mammals to insects. It mediates protection against heavy metal load by activating the expression of metallothionein and other genes. In Drosophila, MTF-1 serves a dual function in that it not only helps to protect against heavy metal load but also induces the expression of Ctr1B, the gene for an intestinal copper importer, upon copper starvation. By dissecting Drosophila MTF-1 function, we have identified determinants for nuclear import and export, and characterized a phosphorylation site mutant (T127A) that differentially affects MTF-1 target genes. Further, by generating a series of fusion proteins with the heterologous DNA binding domain of Gal4 we identified a strong, constitutive activation domain in the central region of MTF-1 (aa 352-540). By contrast, an extended fusion protein that includes MTF-1's C-terminus (aa 352-791) is not active in standard conditions but induced by copper load. The paramount regulatory importance of the C-terminal part, that harbors a cysteine-rich "metallothionein-like" domain, was corroborated by different experiments. Transgenic flies expressing C-terminally truncated MTF-1 variants displayed high constitutive transcription of both, the genes for metallothioneins and the copper importer Ctr1B. The indiscriminate activation of these genes that are normally induced under opposite conditions of copper load and copper starvation manifested itself in a shortened lifespan, crippled wings, and female sterility.

Mfc1 is a novel forespore membrane copper transporter in meiotic and sporulating cells

To gain insight in the molecular basis of copper homeostasis during meiosis, we have used DNA microarrays to analyze meiotic gene expression in the model yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Profiling data identified a novel meiosis-specific gene, termed mfc1(+), that encodes a putative major facilitator superfamily-type transporter. Although Mfc1 does not exhibit any significant sequence homology with the copper permease Ctr4, it contains four putative copper-binding motifs that are typically found in members of the copper transporter family of copper transporters. Similarly to the ctr4(+) gene, the transcription of mfc1(+) was induced by low concentrations of copper. However, its temporal expression profile during meiosis was distinct to ctr4(+). Whereas Ctr4 was observed at the plasma membrane shortly after induction of meiosis, Mfc1 appeared later in precursor vesicles and, subsequently, at the forespore membrane of ascospores. Using the fluorescent copper-binding tracker Coppersensor-1 (CS1), labile cellular copper was primarily detected in the forespores in an mfc1(+)/mfc1(+) strain, whereas an mfc1Δ/mfc1Δ mutant exhibited an intracellular dispersed punctate distribution of labile copper ions. In addition, the copper amine oxidase Cao1, which localized primarily in the forespores of asci, was fully active in mfc1(+)/mfc1(+) cells, but its activity was drastically reduced in an mfc1Δ/mfc1Δ strain. Furthermore, our data showed that meiotic cells that express the mfc1(+) gene have a distinct developmental advantage over mfc1Δ/mfc1Δ mutant cells when copper is limiting. Taken together, the data reveal that Mfc1 serves to transport copper for accurate and timely meiotic differentiation under copper-limiting conditions.

Distorted copper homeostasis with decreased sensitivity to cisplatin upon chaperone Atox1 deletion in Drosophila

Copper is an integral part of a number of proteins and thus an essential trace metal. However, free copper ions can be highly toxic and every organism has to carefully control its bioavailability. Eukaryotes contain three copper chaperones; Atx1p/Atox1 which delivers copper to ATP7 transporters located in the trans-Golgi network, Cox17 which provides copper to the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, and CCS which is a copper chaperone for superoxide dismutase 1. Here we describe the knockout phenotype of the Drosophila homolog of mammalian Atox1 (ATX1 in yeast). Atox1-/- flies develop normally, though at reduced numbers, and the eclosing flies are fertile. However, the mutants are unable to develop on low-copper food. Furthermore, the intestinal copper importer Ctr1B, which is regulated by copper demand, fails to be induced upon copper starvation in Atox1-/- larvae. At the same time, intestinal metallothionein is upregulated. This phenotype, which resembles the one of the ATP7 mutant, is best explained by intestinal copper accumulation, combined with insufficient delivery to the rest of the body. In addition, compared to controls, Drosophila Atox1 mutants are relatively insensitive to the anticancer drug cisplatin, a compound which is also imported via Ctr1 copper transporters and was recently found to bind mammalian Atox1.

Iron depletion in the intestines of Malvolio mutant flies does not occur in the absence of a multicopper oxidase

Malvolio (Mvl) encodes the sole Drosophila melanogaster homologue of divalent metal transporter-1 (DMT1). The Drosophila transporter has been implicated in iron, manganese and copper cellular import. Indeed, the extent of metal specificity for this family of transporters is still under investigation in many eukaryotic species. Here, we revisit metal accumulation in Mvl mutants raised under normal and metal-supplemented diets. We found iron deficiency in Mvl mutant flies, whereas whole body copper and manganese concentrations remained unaltered. Iron supplementation restored total body iron concentrations in Mvl mutants, but without replenishing iron stores in the middle midgut, suggesting a role for Mvl in systemic iron trafficking, in addition to a role in intestinal iron absorption. Interestingly, dietary copper sulphate supplementation further exacerbated the iron deficiency. We investigated whether dietary copper affected iron storage through the function of an insect multicopper oxidase (MCO), because the mammalian MCO ceruloplasmin is known to regulate iron storage in the liver. We identified a Drosophila MCO mutant that suppressed aspects of the Mvl mutant phenotype and most notably Mvl, MCO3 double mutants showed normal intestinal iron storage. Therefore, MCO3 may encode an insect ferroxidase. Intriguingly, MCO3 mutants had a mild accumulation of copper, which was suppressed in Mvl mutants, revealing a reciprocal genetic interaction between the two genes.

Evidence for evolutionary constraints in Drosophila metal biology

Mutations in single Drosophila melanogaster genes can alter total body metal accumulation. We therefore asked whether evolutionary constraints maintain biologically abundant metal ions (iron, copper, manganese and zinc) to similar concentrations in different species of Drosophilidae, or whether metal homeostasis is a highly adaptable trait as shown previously for triglyceride and glycogen storage. To avoid dietary influences, only species able to grow and reproduce on a standard laboratory medium were selected for analysis. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used to determine metal content in 5-days-old adult flies. Overall, the data suggest that the metallome of the nine species tested is well conserved. Meaningful average values for the Drosophilidae family are presented. Few statistically significant differences were noted for copper, manganese and zinc between species. In contrast, Drosophila erecta and Drosophila virilis showed a 50% increase above average and a 30% decrease below average in iron concentrations, respectively. The changes in total body iron content correlated with altered iron storage in intestinal ferritin stores of these species. Hence, the variability in iron content could be accounted for by a corresponding adaptation in iron storage regulation. We suggest that the relative expression of the multitude of metalloenzymes and other metal-binding proteins remains overall similar between species and likely determines relative metal abundances in the organism. The availability of a complete and annotated genome sequence of different Drosophila species presents opportunities to study the evolution of metal homeostasis in closely related organisms that have evolved separately for millions or dozens of million years.

Drosophila mitoferrin is essential for male fertility: evidence for a role of mitochondrial iron metabolism during spermatogenesis

Background

Mammals and Drosophila melanogaster share some striking similarities in spermatogenesis. Mitochondria in spermatids undergo dramatic morphological changes and syncytial spermatids are stripped from their cytoplasm and then individually wrapped by single membranes in an individualization process. In mammalian and fruit fly testis, components of the mitochondrial iron metabolism are expressed, but so far their function during spermatogenesis is unknown. Here we investigate the role of Drosophila mitoferrin (dmfrn), which is a mitochondrial carrier protein with an established role in the mitochondrial iron metabolism, during spermatogenesis.

Results

We found that P-element insertions into the 5'-untranslated region of the dmfrn gene cause recessive male sterility, which was rescued by a fluorescently tagged transgenic dmfrn genomic construct (dmfrn^venus). Testes of mutant homozygous dmfrn^SH115 flies were either small with unorganized content or contained some partially elongated spermatids, or testes were of normal size but lacked mature sperm. Testis squashes indicated that spermatid elongation was defective and electron micrographs showed mitochondrial defects in elongated spermatids and indicated failed individualization. Using a LacZ reporter and the dmfrn^venus transgene, we found that dmfrn expression in testes was highest in spermatids, coinciding with the stages that showed defects in the mutants. Dmfrn-venus protein accumulated in mitochondrial derivatives of spermatids, where it remained until most of it was stripped off during individualization and disposed of in waste bags. Male sterility in flies with the hypomorph alleles dmfrn^BG00456 and dmfrn^EY01302 over the deletion Df(3R)ED6277 was increased by dietary iron chelation and suppressed by iron supplementation of the food, while male sterility of dmfrn^SH115/Df(3R)ED6277 flies was not affected by food iron levels.

Conclusions

In this work, we show that mutations in the Drosophila mitoferrin gene result in male sterility caused by developmental defects. From the sensitivity of the hypomorph mutants to low food iron levels we conclude that mitochondrial iron is essential for spermatogenesis. This is the first time that a link between the mitochondrial iron metabolism and spermatogenesis has been shown. Furthermore, due to the similar expression patterns of some mitochondrial iron metabolism genes in Drosophila and mammals, it is likely that our results are applicable for mammals as well.