Drosophila spermiogenesis: Big things come from little packages

Running the gauntlet: challenges to genome integrity in spermiogenesis

Species' continuity depends on gametogenesis to produce the only cell types that can transmit genetic information across generations. Spermiogenesis, which encompasses post-meiotic, haploid stages of male gametogenesis, is a process that leads to the formation of sperm cells well-known for their motility. Spermiogenesis faces three major challenges. First, after two rounds of meiotic divisions, the genome lacks repair templates (no sister chromatids, no homologous chromosomes), making it incredibly vulnerable to any genomic insults over an extended time (typically days-weeks). Second, the sperm genome becomes transcriptionally silent, making it difficult to respond to new perturbations as spermiogenesis progresses. Third, the histone-to-protamine transition, which is essential to package the sperm genome, counterintuitively involves DNA break formation. How spermiogenesis handles these challenges remains poorly understood. In this review, we discuss each challenge and their intersection with the biology of protamines. Finally, we discuss the implication of protamines in the process of evolution.

The evolutionarily conserved PhLP3 is essential for sperm development in Drosophila melanogaster

Phosducin-like proteins (PhLP) are thioredoxin domain-containing proteins that are highly conserved across unicellular and multicellular organisms. PhLP family proteins are hypothesized to function as co-chaperones in the folding of cytoskeletal proteins. Here, we present the initial molecular, biochemical, and functional characterization of CG4511 as Drosophila melanogaster PhLP3. We cloned the gene into a bacterial expression vector and produced enzymatically active recombinant PhLP3, which showed similar kinetics to previously characterized orthologues. A fly strain homozygous for a P-element insertion in the 5' UTR of the PhLP3 gene exhibited significant downregulation of PhLP3 expression. We found these male flies to be sterile. Microscopic analysis revealed altered testes morphology and impairment of spermiogenesis, leading to a lack of mature sperm. Among the most significant observations was the lack of actin cones during sperm maturation. Excision of the P-element insertion in PhLP3 restored male fertility, spermiogenesis, and seminal vesicle size. Given the high level of conservation of PhLP3, our data suggests PhLP3 may be an important regulator of sperm development across species.

Versatile gamma-tubulin complexes contribute to the dynamic organization of MTOCs during Drosophila spermatogenesis

The initiation of microtubule formation is facilitated by γ-tubulin and γ-Tubulin Ring Complex (γ-TuRC) in various microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). While the heterogeneity of tissue-specific MTOCs and γ-TuRC in Drosophila testis has been described, their molecular composition and physiological significance are poorly understood. We investigated the testis-specific distribution and biochemical interaction of the canonical γ-TuRC proteins Grip163 and Grip84. We found that while Grip163 is present on the centrosome and basal body, Grip84 localizes to the centrosome and Golgi in spermatocytes and colocalizes with the testis-specific γ-Tubulin complexes (t-γ-TuC) at the basal body, apical nuclear tip, and near the elongated mitochondria after meiosis. We also showed the apical nuclear tip localization of some γ-TuRC interacting partners and proved their binding to t-γ-TuC proteins. These results highlight and prove the importance of the different γ-TuRCs in organizing the diverse MTOCs present during the extensive rearrangement of cell organelles during the spermatogenesis of Drosophila.

Soma-to-germline BMP signal is essential for Drosophila spermiogenesis

In the Drosophila testis, developing germ cells are encapsulated by somatic support cells throughout development. Soma-germline interactions are essential for successful spermiogenesis. However, it is still not fully understood what signaling events take place between the soma and the germline. In this study, we found that a Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) ligand, Glass bottom boat (Gbb), secreted from somatic cyst cells (CCs), signals to differentiating germ cells to maintain proper spermiogenesis. Knockdown of Gbb in CCs or the type I BMP receptor Saxophone (Sax) in germ cells leads to a defect in sperm head bundling and decreased fertility. Our Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that the mutant germ cells have aberrant morphology of mitochondria throughout the stages of spermiogenesis and exhibit a defect in nebenkern formation. Elongating spermatids show uncoupled nuclei and elongating mitochondrial derivatives, suggesting that improper mitochondrial development may cause sperm bundling defects. Taken together, we propose a new role of soma-derived BMP signaling, which is essential for spermiogenesis.

Fly Fam161 is an essential centriole and cilium transition zone protein with unique and diverse cell type-specific localizations

Family with sequence similarity 161 (Fam161) is an ancient family of microtubule-binding proteins located at the centriole and cilium transition zone (TZ) lumen that exhibit rapid evolution in mice. However, their adaptive role is unclear. Here, we used flies to gain insight into their cell type-specific adaptations. Fam161 is the sole orthologue of FAM161A and FAM161B found in flies. Mutating Fam161 results in reduced male reproduction and abnormal geotaxis behaviour. Fam161 localizes to sensory neuron centrioles and their specialized TZ (the connecting cilium) in a cell type-specific manner, sometimes labelling only the centrioles, sometimes labelling the centrioles and cilium TZ and sometimes labelling the TZ with varying lengths that are longer than other TZ proteins, defining a new ciliary compartment, the extra distal TZ. These findings suggest that Fam161 is an essential centriole and TZ protein with a unique cell type-specific localization in fruit flies that can produce cell type-specific adaptations.

The proximal centriole-like structure maintains nucleus-centriole architecture in sperm

Proper connection between the sperm head and tail is critical for sperm motility and fertilization. Head-tail linkage is mediated by the head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA), which secures the axoneme (tail) to the nucleus (head). However, the molecular architecture of the HTCA is poorly understood. Here, we use Drosophila to investigate formation and remodeling of the HTCA throughout spermiogenesis by visualizing key components of this complex. Using structured illumination microscopy, we demonstrate that key HTCA proteins Spag4 and Yuri form a 'centriole cap' that surrounds the centriole (or basal body) as it invaginates into the surface of the nucleus. As development progresses, the centriole is laterally displaced to the side of the nucleus while the HTCA expands under the nucleus, forming what we term the 'nuclear shelf'. We next show that the proximal centriole-like (PCL) structure is positioned under the nuclear shelf, functioning as a crucial stabilizer of centriole-nucleus attachment. Together, our data indicate that the HTCA is a complex, multi-point attachment site that simultaneously engages the PCL, the centriole and the nucleus to ensure proper head-tail connection during late-stage spermiogenesis.

Lagging Brain Gene Expression Patterns of Drosophila melanogaster Young Adult Males Confound Comparisons Between Sexes

Many species, including fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster), are sexually dimorphic. Phenotypic variation in morphology, physiology, and behavior can affect development, reproduction, health, and aging. Therefore, designating sex as a variable and sex-blocking should be considered when designing experiments. The brain regulates phenotypes throughout the lifespan by balancing survival and reproduction, and sex-specific development at each life stage is likely. Changes in morphology and physiology are governed by differential gene expression, a quantifiable molecular marker for age- and sex-specific variations. We assessed the fruit fly brain transcriptome at three adult ages for gene expression signatures of sex, age, and sex-by-age: 6698 genes were differentially expressed between sexes, with the most divergence at 3 days. Between ages, 31.1% of 6084 differentially expressed genes (1890 genes) share similar expression patterns from 3 to 7 days in females, and from 7 to 14 days in males. Most of these genes (90.5%, 1712) were upregulated and enriched for chemical stimulus detection and/or cilium regulation. Our data highlight an important delay in male brain gene regulation compared to females. Because significant delays in expression could confound comparisons between sexes, studies of sexual dimorphism at phenotypically comparable life stages rather than chronological age should be more biologically relevant.

The role of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme in the process of spermatogenesis

The ubiquitination is crucial for controlling cellular homeostasis and protein modification, in which ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) acts as the central player in the ubiquitination system. Ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, which have special domains that catalyse substrates, have sequence discrepancies and modulate various pathophysiological processes in different cells of multiple organisms. E2s take part in the mitosis of primordial germ cells, meiosis of spermatocytes and the formation of mature haploid spermatids to maintain normal male fertility. In this review, we summarize the various types of E2s and their functions during distinct stages of spermatogenesis.

A deficiency screen identifies genomic regions critical for sperm head-tail connection

A stable connection between the sperm head and tail is critical for fertility in species with flagellated sperm. The head-tail coupling apparatus (HTCA) serves as the critical link between the nucleus (head) and the axoneme (tail) via the centriole. To identify regions of the Drosophila melanogaster genome that contain genetic elements that influence HTCA formation, we undertook a two part screen using the Drosophila deficiency (Df) kit. For this screen, we utilized a sensitized genetic background that overexpresses the pericentriolar material regulatory protein Pericentrin-Like Protein (PLP). We had previously shown that PLP overexpression (PLPOE) disrupts the head-tail connection in some spermatids, but not to a degree sufficient to reduce fertility. In the first step of the screen we tested for Dfs that in combination with PLPOE cause a reduction in fertility. We ultimately identified 11 regions of the genome that showed an enhanced fertility defect when combined with PLP overexpression. In the second step of the screen we tested these Dfs for their ability to enhance the HTCA defect caused by PLPOE, finding six. We then tested smaller Dfs to narrow the region of the genome that contained these enhancers. To further analyze the regions of the genome removed by these Dfs, we examined the expression patterns of the genes within these Dfs in publicly available datasets of RNAseq of Drosophila tissues and snRNAseq of Drosophila testes. In total, our analysis suggests that some of these Dfs may contain a single gene that might influence HTCA formation and / or fertility, while others appear to be regions of the genome especially rich in testis-expressed genes that might affect the HTCA because of complex, multi-gene interactions.

A newly evolved gene is essential for efficient sperm entry into eggs in Drosophila melanogaster

New genes arise through a variety of evolutionary processes and provide raw material for adaptation in the face of both natural and sexual selection. De novo evolved genes emerge from previously non-protein-coding DNA sequences, and many such genes are expressed in male reproductive structures. In Drosophila melanogaster, several putative de novo genes have evolved essential roles in spermatogenesis, but whether such genes can also impact sperm function beyond the male has not been investigated. We identified a putative de novo gene, katherine johnson (kj), that is required for high levels of male fertility. Males that do not express kj produce and transfer sperm that are stored normally in females, but sperm from these males enter eggs with severely reduced efficiency. Using a tagged transgenic rescue construct, we observed that KJ protein localizes to the nuclear periphery in various stages of spermatogenesis, but is not detectable in mature sperm. These data suggest that kj exerts an effect on sperm development, the loss of which results in reduced fertilization ability. While previous bioinformatic analyses suggested the kj gene was restricted to the melanogaster group of Drosophila, we identified putative orthologs with conserved synteny, male-biased expression, and predicted protein features across the genus, as well as instances of gene loss in some lineages. Thus, kj potentially arose in the Drosophila common ancestor and subsequently evolved an essential role in D. melanogaster. Our results demonstrate a new aspect of male reproduction that has been shaped by new gene evolution and provide a molecular foothold for further investigating the mechanism of sperm entry into eggs in Drosophila.

Adenine nucleotide translocase 2 (Ant2) is required for individualization of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

Successful completion of spermatogenesis is crucial for the perpetuation of the species. In Drosophila, spermatid individualization, a process involving changes in mitochondrial structure and function is critical to produce functional mature sperm. Ant2, encoding a mitochondrial adenine nucleotide translocase, is highly expressed in male testes and plays a role in energy metabolism in the mitochondria. However, its molecular function remains unclear. Here, we identified an important role of Ant2 in spermatid individualization. In Ant2 knockdown testes, spermatid individualization complexes composed of F-actin cones exhibited a diffuse distribution, and mature sperms were absent in the seminal vesicle, thus leading to male sterility. The most striking effects in Ant2-knockdown spermatids were decrease in tubulin polyglycylation and disruption of proper mitochondria derivatives function. Excessive apoptotic cells were also observed in Ant2-knockdown testes. To further investigate the phenotype of Ant2 knockdown in testes at the molecular level, complementary transcriptome and proteome analyses were performed. At the mRNA level, 868 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 229 genes were upregulated and 639 were downregulated induced via Ant2 knockdown. iTRAQ-labeling proteome analysis revealed 350 differentially expressed proteins, of which 117 proteins were upregulated and 233 were downregulated. The expression of glutathione transferase (GstD5, GstE5, GstE8, and GstD3), proteins involved in reproduction were significantly regulated at both the mRNA and protein levels. These results indicate that Ant2 is crucial for spermatid maturation by affecting mitochondrial morphogenesis.

CG9920 is necessary for mitochondrial morphogenesis and individualization during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for investigating spermatogenesis due to its powerful genetics, conserved genes and visible morphology of germ cells during sperm production. Our previous work revealed that ocnus (ocn) knockdown resulted in male sterility, and CG9920 was identified as a significantly downregulated protein in fly abdomen after ocn knockdown, suggesting a role of CG9920 in male reproduction. In this study, we found that CG9920 was highly expressed in fly testes. CG9920 knockdown in fly testes caused male infertility with no mature sperms in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that depletion of CG9920 resulted in scattered spermatid nuclear bundles, fewer elongation cones that did not migrate to the anterior region of the testis, and almost no individualization complexes. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that CG9920 knockdown severely disrupted mitochondrial morphogenesis during spermatogenesis. Notably, we found that CG9920 might not directly interact with Ocn, but rather was inhibited by STAT92E, which itself was indirectly affected by Ocn. We propose a possible novel pathway essential for spermatogenesis in D. melanogaster, whereby Ocn indirectly induces CG9920 expression, potentially counteracting its inhibition by the JAK-STAT signaling pathway.

Deficiency of ValRS-m Causes Male Infertility in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila spermatogenesis involves the renewal of germline stem cells, meiosis of spermatocytes, and morphological transformation of spermatids into mature sperm. We previously demonstrated that Ocnus (ocn) plays an essential role in spermatogenesis. The ValRS-m (Valyl-tRNA synthetase, mitochondrial) gene was down-regulated in ocn RNAi testes. Here, we found that ValRS-m-knockdown induced complete sterility in male flies. The depletion of ValRS-m blocked mitochondrial behavior and ATP synthesis, thus inhibiting the transition from spermatogonia to spermatocytes, and eventually, inducing the accumulation of spermatogonia during spermatogenesis. To understand the intrinsic reason for this, we further conducted transcriptome-sequencing analysis for control and ValRS-m-knockdown testes. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these two groups were selected with a fold change of ≥2 or ≤1/2. Compared with the control group, 4725 genes were down-regulated (dDEGs) and 2985 genes were up-regulated (uDEGs) in the ValRS-m RNAi group. The dDEGs were mainly concentrated in the glycolytic pathway and pyruvate metabolic pathway, and the uDEGs were primarily related to ribosomal biogenesis. A total of 28 DEGs associated with mitochondria and 6 meiosis-related genes were verified to be suppressed when ValRS-m was deficient. Overall, these results suggest that ValRS-m plays a wide and vital role in mitochondrial behavior and spermatogonia differentiation in Drosophila.

Egg multivesicular bodies elicit an LC3-associated phagocytosis-like pathway to degrade paternal mitochondria after fertilization

Mitochondria are maternally inherited, but the mechanisms underlying paternal mitochondrial elimination after fertilization are far less clear. Using Drosophila, we show that special egg-derived multivesicular body vesicles promote paternal mitochondrial elimination by activating an LC3-associated phagocytosis-like pathway, a cellular defense pathway commonly employed against invading microbes. Upon fertilization, these egg-derived vesicles form extended vesicular sheaths around the sperm flagellum, promoting degradation of the sperm mitochondrial derivative and plasma membrane. LC3-associated phagocytosis cascade of events, including recruitment of a Rubicon-based class III PI(3)K complex to the flagellum vesicular sheaths, its activation, and consequent recruitment of Atg8/LC3, are all required for paternal mitochondrial elimination. Finally, lysosomes fuse with strings of large vesicles derived from the flagellum vesicular sheaths and contain degrading fragments of the paternal mitochondrial derivative. Given reports showing that in some mammals, the paternal mitochondria are also decorated with Atg8/LC3 and surrounded by multivesicular bodies upon fertilization, our findings suggest that a similar pathway also mediates paternal mitochondrial elimination in other flagellated sperm-producing organisms.

Functional Analysis of Forkhead Transcription Factor Fd59a in the Spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

Spermatogenesis is critical for insect reproduction and is regulated by many different genes. In this study, we found that Forkhead transcription factor Fd59a functions as a key factor in the spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster. Fd59a contains a conversed Forkhead domain, and it is clustered to the FoxD subfamily with other FoxD members from some insect and vertebrate species. Mutations in Fd59a caused swelling in the apical region of the testis. More importantly, fewer mature sperm were present in the seminal vesicle of Fd59a mutant flies compared to the control flies, and the fertility of Fd59a2/2 mutant males was significantly lower than that of the control flies. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the homeostasis of the testis stem cell niche in Fd59a2/2 mutant and Fd59a RNAi flies was disrupted and the apoptosis of sperm bundles was increased. Furthermore, results from RNA sequencing and qRT-PCR suggested that Fd59a can regulate the expression of genes related to reproductive process and cell death. Taken together, our results indicated that Fd59a plays a key role in the spermatogenesis of Drosophila.

A novel insertional allele of the CG18135 gene is associated with severe mutant phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster has been at the forefront of genetic studies and biochemical modeling for over a century. Yet, the functions of many genes are still unknown, mainly because no phenotypic data are available. Herein, we present the first evidence data regarding the particular molecular and other quantifiable phenotypes, such as viability and anatomical anomalies, induced by a novel P{lacW} insertional mutant allele of the CG18135 gene. So far, the CG18135 functions have only been theorized based on electronic annotation and presumptive associations inferred upon high-throughput proteomics or RNA sequencing experiments. The descendants of individuals harboring the CG18135 P{lacW}CG18135 allele were scored in order to assess mutant embryonic, larval, and pupal viability versus Canton Special (CantonS). Our results revealed that the homozygous CG18135 P{lacW}CG18135 /CG18135 P{lacW}CG18135 genotype determines significant lethality both at the inception of the larval stage and during pupal development. The very few imago escapers that either breach or fully exit the puparium exhibit specific eye depigmentation, wing abnormal unfolding, strong locomotor impairment with apparent spasmodic leg movements, and their maximum lifespan is shorter than 2 days. Using the quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) method, we found that CG18135 is upregulated in male flies, but an unexpected gene upregulation was also detected in heterozygous mutants compared to wild-type flies, probably because of regulatory perturbations induced by the P{lacW} transposon. Our work provides the first phenotypic evidence for the essential role of CG18135, a scenario in accordance with the putative role of this gene in carbohydrate-binding processes.

An important role for triglyceride in regulating spermatogenesis

Drosophila is a powerful model to study how lipids affect spermatogenesis. Yet, the contribution of neutral lipids, a major lipid group which resides in organelles called lipid droplets (LD), to sperm development is largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests LD are present in the testis and that loss of neutral lipid- and LD-associated genes causes subfertility; however, key regulators of testis neutral lipids and LD remain unclear. Here, we show LD are present in early-stage somatic and germline cells within the Drosophila testis. We identified a role for triglyceride lipase brummer (bmm) in regulating testis LD, and found that whole-body loss of bmm leads to defects in sperm development. Importantly, these represent cell-autonomous roles for bmm in regulating testis LD and spermatogenesis. Because lipidomic analysis of bmm mutants revealed excess triglyceride accumulation, and spermatogenic defects in bmm mutants were rescued by genetically blocking triglyceride synthesis, our data suggest that bmm-mediated regulation of triglyceride influences sperm development. This identifies triglyceride as an important neutral lipid that contributes to Drosophila sperm development, and reveals a key role for bmm in regulating testis triglyceride levels during spermatogenesis.

Multigenerational Effect of Heat Stress on the Drosophila melanogaster Sperm Proteome

The effect of the parental environment on offspring through non-DNA sequence-based mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, noncoding RNAs, and proteins, could only be established after the conception of "epigenetics". These effects are now broadly referred to as multigenerational epigenetic effects. Despite accumulating evidence of male gamete-mediated multigenerational epigenetic inheritance, little is known about the factors that underlie heat stress-induced multigenerational epigenetic inheritance via the male germline in Drosophila. In this study, we address this gap by utilizing an established heat stress paradigm in Drosophila and investigating its multigenerational effect on the sperm proteome. Our findings indicate that multigenerational heat stress during the early embryonic stage significantly influences proteins in the sperm associated with translation, chromatin organization, microtubule-based processes, and the generation of metabolites and energy. Assessment of life-history traits revealed that reproductive fitness and stress tolerance remained unaffected by multigenerational heat stress. Our study offers initial insights into the chromatin-based epigenetic mechanisms as a plausible means of transmitting heat stress memory through the male germline in Drosophila. Furthermore, it sheds light on the repercussions of early embryonic heat stress on male reproductive potential. The data sets from this study are available at the ProteomeXchange Consortium under the identifier PXD037488.

Dual roles of α1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 in spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

Spermatogenesis is critical for insect reproduction and the process is regulated by multiple genes. Glycosyltransferases have been shown to participate in the development of Drosophila melanogaster; however, their role in spermatogenesis is still unclear. In this study, we found that α1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (α4GT1) was expressed at a significantly higher level in the testis than in the ovary of Drosophila. Importantly, the hatching rate was significantly decreased when α4GT1 RNA interference (RNAi) males were crossed with w1118 females, with only a few mature sperm being present in the seminal vesicle of α4GT1 RNAi flies. Immunofluorescence staining further revealed that the individualization complex (IC) in the testes from α4GT1 RNAi flies was scattered and did not move synchronically, compared with the clustered IC observed in the control flies. Terminal deoxyribonucleotide transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay showed that apoptosis signals in the sperm bundles of α4GT1 RNAi flies were significantly increased. Moreover, the expression of several individualization-related genes, such as Shrub, Obp44a and Hanabi, was significantly decreased, whereas the expression of several apoptosis-related genes, including Dronc and Drice, was significantly increased in the testes of α4GT1 RNAi flies. Together, these results suggest that α4GT1 may play dual roles in Drosophila spermatogenesis by regulating the sperm individualization process and maintaining the survival of sperm bundles.

The Proximal Centriole-Like Structure Anchors the Centriole to the Sperm Nucleus

Proper connection between the sperm head and tail is critical for sperm motility and fertilization. The link between the head and tail is mediated by the Head-Tail Coupling Apparatus (HTCA), which secures the axoneme (tail) to the nucleus (head). However, the molecular architecture of the HTCA is not well understood. Here, we use Drosophila to create a high-resolution map of proteins and structures at the HTCA throughout spermiogenesis. Using structured illumination microscopy, we demonstrate that key HTCA proteins Spag4 and Yuri form a 'Centriole Cap' that surrounds the centriole (or Basal Body) as it is inserted, or embedded into the surface of the nucleus. As development progresses, the centriole is laterally displaces to the side of the nucleus, during which time the HTCA expands under the nucleus, forming what we term the 'Nuclear Shelf.' We next show that the proximal centriole-like (PCL) structure is positioned under the Nuclear Shelf and functions as a critical stabilizer of the centriole-nuclear attachment. Together, our data indicate that the HTCA is complex, multi-point attachment site that simultaneously engages the PCL, the centriole, and the nucleus to ensure proper head-tail connection during late-stage spermiogenesis.

Mitochondrial Differentiation during Spermatogenesis: Lessons from Drosophila melanogaster

Numerous diseases can arise as a consequence of mitochondrial malfunction. Hence, there is a significant focus on studying the role of mitochondria in cancer, ageing, neurodegenerative diseases, and the field of developmental biology. Mitochondria could exist as discrete organelles in the cell; however, they have the ability to fuse, resulting in the formation of interconnected reticular structures. The dynamic changes between these forms correlate with mitochondrial function and mitochondrial health, and consequently, there is a significant scientific interest in uncovering the specific molecular constituents that govern these transitions. Moreover, the specialized mitochondria display a wide array of variable morphologies in their cristae formations. These inner mitochondrial structures are closely associated with the specific functions performed by the mitochondria. In multiple cases, the presence of mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to male sterility, as it has been observed to cause a range of abnormal spermatogenesis and sperm phenotypes in different species. This review aims to elucidate the dynamic alterations and functions of mitochondria in germ cell development during the spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.

RpS25 is required for sperm elongation and individualization during Drosophila spermatogenesis

Ribosomal protein 25 (RPS25) has been related to male fertility diseases in humans. However, the role of RPS25 in spermatogenesis has yet to be well understood. RpS25 is evolutionarily highly conserved from flies to humans through sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree construction. In this study, we found that RpS25 plays a critical role in Drosophila spermatogenesis and its knockdown leads to male sterility. Examination of each stage of spermatogenesis from RpS25-knockdown flies showed that RpS25 was not required for initial germline cell divisions, but was required for spermatid elongation and individualization. In RpS25-knockdown testes, the average length of cyst elongation was shortened, the spermatid nuclei bundling was disrupted, and the assembly of individualization complex from actin cones failed, resulting in the failure of mature sperm production. Our data revealed an essential role of RpS25 during Drosophila spermatogenesis through regulating spermatid elongation and individualization.

Chigno/CG11180 and SUMO are Chinmo-interacting proteins with a role in Drosophila testes somatic support cells

Stem cells are critical for replenishment of cells lost to death, damage or differentiation. Drosophila testes are a key model system for elucidating mechanisms regulating stem cell maintenance and differentiation. An intriguing gene identified through such studies is the transcription factor, chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis (Chinmo). Chinmo is a downstream effector of the Jak-STAT signaling pathway that acts in testis somatic stem cells to ensure maintenance of male stem cell fate and sexual identity. Defects in these processes can lead to infertility and the formation of germ cell tumors. While Chinmo's effect on testis stem cell behavior has been investigated in detail, there is still much to be learned about its structure, function, and interactions with other proteins. Using a two-hybrid screen, we find that Chinmo interacts with itself, the small ubiquitin-like modifier SUMO, the novel protein CG11180, and four other proteins (CG4318, Ova (ovaries absent), Taf3 (TBP-associated factor 3), and CG18269). Since both Chinmo and CG11180 contain sumoylation sites and SUMO-interacting motifs (SIMs), we analyzed their interaction in more detail. Using site-directed mutagenesis of a unique SIM in CG11180, we demonstrate that Chinmo's interaction with CG11180 is SUMO-dependent. Furthermore, to assess the functional relevance of both SUMO and CG11180, we performed RNAi-mediated knockdown of both proteins in somatic cells of the Drosophila testis. Using this approach, we find that CG11180 and SUMO are required in somatic cells of adult testes, and that reduction of either protein causes formation of germ cell tumors. Overall, our work suggests that SUMO may be involved in the interaction of Chinmo and CG11180 and that these genes are required in somatic cells of the adult Drosophila testis. Consistent with the CG11180 knockdown phenotype in male testes, and to underscore its connection to Chinmo, we propose the name Chigno (Childless Gambino) for CG11180.

Drosophila Importin Alpha 1 (Dα1) Is Required to Maintain Germline Stem Cells in the Testis Niche

Stem cell maintenance and differentiation can be regulated via the differential activity of transcription factors within stem cells and their progeny. For these factors to be active, they need to be transported from their site of synthesis in the cytoplasm into the nucleus. A tissue-specific requirement for factors involved in nuclear importation is a potential mechanism to regulate stem cell differentiation. We have undertaken a characterization of male sterile importin alpha 1 (Dα1) null alleles in Drosophila and found that Dα1 is required for maintaining germline stem cells (GSCs) in the testis niche. The loss of GSCs can be rescued by ectopic expression of Dα1 within the germline but the animals are still infertile, indicating a second role for Dα1 in spermatogenesis. Expression of a Dα1 dominant negative transgene in GSCs confirmed a functional requirement for Dα1 in GSC maintenance but expression of the transgene in differentiating spermatogonia did not exhibit a phenotype indicating a specific role for Dα1 within GSCs. Our data indicate that Dα1 is utilized as a regulatory protein within GSCs to facilitate nuclear importation of proteins that maintain the stem cell pool.

Two heat shock cognate 70 genes involved in spermatogenesis regulate the male fertility of Zeugodacus cucurbitae, as potential targets for pest control

The melon fly Zeugodacus cucurbitae Coquillett (Diptera: Tephritidae) is an agricultural quarantine pest threatening fruit and vegetable production. Heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70), which is a homolog of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), was first discovered in mice testes and plays an important role in spermatogenesis. In this study, we identified and cloned five Hsc70 genes from melon fly, namely ZcHsc70_1/2/3/4/5. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these proteins are closely related to Hsc70s from other Diptera insects. Spatiotemporal expression analysis showed that ZcHsc70_1 and ZcHsc70_2 are highly expressed in Z. cucurbitae testes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization further demonstrated that ZcHsc70_1 and ZcHsc70_2 are expressed in the transformation and maturation regions of testes, respectively. Moreover, RNA interference-based suppression of ZcHsc70_1 or ZcHsc70_2 resulted in a significant decrease of 74.61% and 63.28% in egg hatchability, respectively. Suppression of ZcHsc70_1 expression delayed the transformation of sperm cells to mature sperms. Meanwhile, suppression of ZcHsc70_2 expression decreased both sperm cells and mature sperms by inhibiting the meiosis of spermatocytes. Our findings show that ZcHsc70_1/2 regulates spermatogenesis and further affects the male fertility in the melon fly, showing potential as targets for pest control in sterile insect technique by genetic manipulation of males.

Identification and functional analysis of CG3526 in spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

Spermatogenesis is a critical part of reproduction in insects; however, its molecular mechanism is still largely unknown. In this study, we identified a testis-specific gene CG3526 in Drosophila melanogaster. Bioinformatics analysis showed that CG3526 contains a zinc binding domain and 2 C2 H2 type zinc fingers, and it is clustered to the vertebrate really interesting new gene (RING) family E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases. When CG3526 was knocked down by RNA interference (RNAi), the testis became much smaller in size, and the apical tip exhibited a sharp and thin end instead of the blunt and round shape in the control testis. More importantly, compared to the control flies, only a few mature sperm were present in the seminal vesicle of C587-Gal4 > CG3526 RNAi flies. Immunofluorescence staining of the testis from CG3526 RNAi flies showed that the homeostasis of testis stem cell niche was disrupted, cell distribution in the apical tip was scattered, and the process of spermatogenesis was not completed. Furthermore, we found that the phenotype of CG3526 RNAi flies' testis was similar to that of testis of Stat92E RNAi flies, the expression level of CG3526 was significantly downregulated in the Stat92EF06346 mutant flies, and the promoter activity of CG3526 was upregulated by STAT92E. Taken together, our results indicated that CG3526 is a downstream effector gene in the JAK-STAT signaling pathway that plays a key role in the spermatogenesis of Drosophila.

β-tubulin functions in spermatogenesis in Lygus hesperus Knight

Lygus hesperus Knight is an important insect pest of crops across western North America, with field management heavily reliant on the use of chemical insecticides. Because of the evolution of resistance to these insecticides, effective and environmentally benign pest management strategies are needed. Traditional sterile insect technique (SIT) has been successfully employed to manage or eradicate some insect pests but involves introducing irradiated insects with random mutations into field populations. New genetically-driven SIT techniques are a safer alternative, causing fixed mutations that manipulate individual genes in target pests to produce sterile individuals for release. Here, we identified seven β-tubulin coding genes from L. hesperus and show that Lhβtub2 is critical in male sperm production and fertility. Lhβtub2 is expressed primarily in the male testes and targeting of this gene by RNA interference or gene editing leads to male sterility.

Evolutionary diversification reveals distinct somatic versus germline cytoskeletal functions of the Arp2 branched actin nucleator protein

Branched actin networks are critical in many cellular processes, including cell motility and division. Arp2, a protein within the seven-membered Arp2/3 complex, is responsible for generating branched actin. Given its essential roles, Arp2 evolves under stringent sequence conservation throughout eukaryotic evolution. We unexpectedly discovered recurrent evolutionary diversification of Arp2 in Drosophila, yielding independently arising paralogs Arp2D in obscura species and Arp2D2 in montium species. Both paralogs are unusually testis-enriched in expression relative to Arp2. We investigated whether their sequence divergence from canonical Arp2 led to functional specialization by replacing Arp2 in D. melanogaster with either Arp2D or Arp2D2. Despite their divergence, we surprisingly found that both complement Arp2's essential function in somatic tissue, suggesting they have preserved the ability to polymerize branched actin even in a non-native species. However, we found that Arp2D- and Arp2D2-expressing males display defects throughout sperm development, with Arp2D resulting in more pronounced deficiencies and subfertility, suggesting the Arp2 paralogs are cross-species incompatible in the testis. We focused on Arp2D and pinpointed two highly diverged structural regions-the D-loop and C terminus-and found that they contribute to germline defects in D. melanogaster sperm development. However, while the Arp2D C terminus is suboptimal in the D. melanogaster testis, it is essential for Arp2D somatic function. Testis cytology of the paralogs' native species revealed striking differences in germline actin structures, indicating unique cytoskeletal requirements. Our findings suggest canonical Arp2 function differs between somatic versus germline contexts, and Arp2 paralogs may have recurrently evolved for species-specialized actin branching in the testis.

eIF4E as a molecular wildcard in metazoans RNA metabolism

The evolutionary origin of eukaryotes spurred the transition from prokaryotic-like translation to a more sophisticated, eukaryotic translation. During this process, successive gene duplication of a single, primordial eIF4E gene encoding the mRNA cap-binding protein eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) gave rise to a plethora of paralog genes across eukaryotes that underwent further functional diversification in RNA metabolism. The ability to take different roles is due to eIF4E promiscuity in binding many partner proteins, rendering eIF4E a highly versatile and multifunctional player that functions as a molecular wildcard. Thus, in metazoans, eIF4E paralogs are involved in various processes, including messenger RNA (mRNA) processing, export, translation, storage, and decay. Moreover, some paralogs display differential expression in tissues and developmental stages and show variable biochemical properties. In this review, we discuss recent advances shedding light on the functional diversification of eIF4E in metazoans. We emphasise humans and two phylogenetically distant species which have become paradigms for studies on development, namely the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster and the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans.

Cep104 is a component of the centriole distal tip complex that regulates centriole growth and contributes to Drosophila spermiogenesis

Proper centrosome number and function relies on the accurate assembly of centrioles, barrel-shaped structures that form the core duplicating elements of the organelle. The growth of centrioles is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner; while new daughter centrioles elongate during the S/G2/M phase, mature mother centrioles maintain their length throughout the cell cycle. Centriole length is controlled by the synchronized growth of the microtubules that ensheathe the centriole barrel. Although proteins exist that target the growing distal tips of centrioles, such as CP110 and Cep97, these proteins are generally thought to suppress centriolar microtubule growth, suggesting that distal tips may also contain unidentified counteracting factors that facilitate microtubule polymerization. Currently, a mechanistic understanding of how distal tip proteins balance microtubule growth and shrinkage to either promote daughter centriole elongation or maintain centriole length is lacking. Using a proximity-labeling screen in Drosophila cells, we identified Cep104 as a novel component of a group of evolutionarily conserved proteins that we collectively refer to as the distal tip complex (DTC). We found that Cep104 regulates centriole growth and promotes centriole elongation through its microtubule-binding TOG domain. Furthermore, analysis of Cep104 null flies revealed that Cep104 and Cep97 cooperate during spermiogenesis to align spermatids and coordinate individualization. Lastly, we mapped the complete DTC interactome and showed that Cep97 is the central scaffolding unit required to recruit DTC components to the distal tip of centrioles.

Wolbachia Induces Structural Defects Harmful to Drosophila simulans Riverside Spermiogenesis

The relationship between cytoplasmic incompatibility and the obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria Wolbachia has for a long time been reported. Although the molecular mechanisms responsible for this reproductive alteration are beginning to be understood, the effects of Wolbachia on germ cell structure and dynamics have not yet been fully investigated. We report here that the presence of Wolbachia in infected cysts of elongating spermatids is associated with major structural defects that become more evident in mature sperm. We find mitochondrial defects, an improper axoneme structure, reduced sperm numbers, and individualization failures. The large heterogeneous variety of the ultrastructural defects found in elongating spermatids and mature sperm provide the first cytological evidence for the reduced fertility associated with Wolbachia infection in Drosophila simulans males. The observed abnormalities could be the result of the mechanical stress induced by the high bacteria numbers during the process of spermatid elongation, rather than the result of the released factors affecting the proper morphogenesis of the germ cells. Moreover, high Wolbachia densities in male germ cells may not be appropriate for causing cytoplasmic incompatibility as the bacteria are harmful for spermatid differentiation, leading to abnormal sperm that is unlikely to be functional.

Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis in the Testis of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

Spermatogenesis is an important process in reproduction and is conserved across species, but in Bombyx mori, it shows peculiarities, such as the maintenance of spermatogonia by apical cells and fertilization by dimorphic spermatozoa. In this study, we attempted to characterize the genes expressed in the testis of B. mori, focusing on aspects of expression patterns and gene function by transcriptome comparisons between different tissues, internal testis regions, and Drosophila melanogaster. The transcriptome analysis of 12 tissues of B. mori, including those of testis, revealed the widespread gene expression of 20,962 genes and 1705 testis-specific genes. A comparative analysis of the stem region (SR) and differentiated regions (DR) of the testis revealed 4554 and 3980 specific-enriched genes, respectively. In addition, comparisons with D. melanogaster testis transcriptome revealed homologs of 1204 SR and 389 DR specific-enriched genes that were similarly expressed in equivalent regions of Drosophila testis. Moreover, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis was performed for SR-specific enriched genes and DR-specific enriched genes, and the GO terms of several biological processes were enriched, confirming previous findings. This study advances our understanding of spermatogenesis in B. mori and provides an important basis for future research, filling a knowledge gap between fly and mammalian studies.

Chronic exposure to warm temperature causes low sperm abundance and quality in Drosophila melanogaster

Temperature influences male fertility across organisms; however, how suboptimal temperatures affect adult spermatogenesis remains understudied. In a recent study on Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis, we observed a drastic reduction in the fertility of adult males exposed to warm temperature (29 °C). Here, we show that males become infertile at 29 °C because of low sperm abundance and quality. The low sperm abundance at 29 °C does not stem from reduced germline stem cell or spermatid numbers, as those numbers remain comparable between 29 °C and control 25 °C. Notably, males at cold 18 °C and 29 °C had similarly increased frequencies of spermatid elongation and individualization defects which, considering the high sperm abundance and male fertility measured at 18 °C, indicate that spermatogenesis has a high tolerance for elongation and individualization defects. Interestingly, the abundance of sperm at 29 °C decreases abruptly and with no evidence of apoptosis as they transition into the seminal vesicle near the end of spermatogenesis, pointing to sperm elimination through an unknown mechanism. Finally, sperm from males at 29 °C fertilize eggs less efficiently and do not support embryos past the first stage of embryogenesis, indicating that poor sperm quality is an additional cause of male infertility at 29 °C.

Ultrastructure of the nebenkern during spermatogenesis in the praying mantid Hierodula membranacea

Spermatogenesis leads to the formation of functional sperm cells. Here we have applied high-pressure freezing in combination with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to study the ultrastructure of sperm development in subadult males of the praying mantid Hierodula membranacea, a species in which spermatogenesis had not previously been studied. We show the ultrastructure of different stages of sperm development in this species. Thorough examination of TEM data and electron tomographic reconstructions revealed interesting structural features of the nebenkern, an organelle composed of fused mitochondria that has been studied in spermatids of other insect species. We have applied serial-section electron tomography of the nebenkern to demonstrate in three dimensions (3D) that this organelle in H. membranacea is composed of two interwoven mitochondrial derivatives, and that the mitochondrial derivatives are connected by a zipper-like structure at opposing positions. Our approach will enable further ultrastructural analyses of the nebenkern in other organisms.

Nuclear elongation during spermiogenesis depends on physical linkage of nuclear pore complexes to bundled microtubules by Drosophila Mst27D

Spermatozoa in animal species are usually highly elongated cells with a long motile tail attached to a head that contains the haploid genome in a compact and often elongated nucleus. In Drosophila melanogaster, the nucleus is compacted two hundred-fold in volume during spermiogenesis and re-modeled into a needle that is thirty-fold longer than its diameter. Nuclear elongation is preceded by a striking relocalization of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs). While NPCs are initially located throughout the nuclear envelope (NE) around the spherical nucleus of early round spermatids, they are later confined to one hemisphere. In the cytoplasm adjacent to this NPC-containing NE, the so-called dense complex with a strong bundle of microtubules is assembled. While this conspicuous proximity argued for functional significance of NPC-NE and microtubule bundle, experimental confirmation of their contributions to nuclear elongation has not yet been reported. Our functional characterization of the spermatid specific Mst27D protein now resolves this deficit. We demonstrate that Mst27D establishes physical linkage between NPC-NE and dense complex. The C-terminal region of Mst27D binds to the nuclear pore protein Nup358. The N-terminal CH domain of Mst27D, which is similar to that of EB1 family proteins, binds to microtubules. At high expression levels, Mst27D promotes bundling of microtubules in cultured cells. Microscopic analyses indicated co-localization of Mst27D with Nup358 and with the microtubule bundles of the dense complex. Time-lapse imaging revealed that nuclear elongation is accompanied by a progressive bundling of microtubules into a single elongated bundle. In Mst27D null mutants, this bundling process does not occur and nuclear elongation is abnormal. Thus, we propose that Mst27D permits normal nuclear elongation by promoting the attachment of the NPC-NE to the microtubules of the dense complex, as well as the progressive bundling of these microtubules.

Developmental heat stress interrupts spermatogenesis inducing early male sterility in Drosophila melanogaster

Thermal stress leads to fertility reduction, can cause temporal sterility and thus results in fitness loss with severe ecological and evolutionary consequences, e.g., threatening species persistence already at sub-lethal temperatures. For males we here tested which developmental stage is particularly sensitive to heat stress in the model species Drosophila melanogaster. As developmental stages characterize the different steps of sperm development, we could narrow down which particular processes are heat sensitive. We studied early male reproductive ability and, by following recovery dynamics after a move to benign temperatures, we investigated general mechanisms behind a subsequent gain of fertility. We found strong support to suggest that the last steps of spermatogenesis are particularly sensitive to heat stress, as processes occurring during the pupal stage were mostly interrupted, delaying both sperm production and sperm maturation. Moreover, further measurements in the testes and for proxies of sperm availability indicating the onset of adult reproductive capacity matched the expected heat-induced delay in completing spermatogenesis. We discuss these results within the context of how heat stress affects reproductive organ function and the consequences for male reproductive potential.

Broad phosphorylation mediated by testis-specific serine/threonine kinases contributes to spermiogenesis and male fertility

Genetic studies elucidate a link between testis-specific serine/threonine kinases (TSSKs) and male infertility in mammals, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we identify a TSSK homolog in Drosophila, CG14305 (termed dTSSK), whose mutation impairs the histone-to-protamine transition during spermiogenesis and causes multiple phenotypic defects in nuclear shaping, DNA condensation, and flagellar organization in spermatids. Genetic analysis demonstrates that kinase catalytic activity of dTSSK, which is functionally conserved with human TSSKs, is essential for male fertility. Phosphoproteomics identify 828 phosphopeptides/449 proteins as potential substrates of dTSSK enriched primarily in microtubule-based processes, flagellar organization and mobility, and spermatid differentiation and development, suggesting that dTSSK phosphorylates various proteins to orchestrate postmeiotic spermiogenesis. Among them, the two substrates, protamine-like protein Mst77F/Ser⁹ and transition protein Mst33A/Ser²³⁷, are biochemically validated to be phosphorylated by dTSSK in vitro, and are genetically demonstrated to be involved in spermiogenesis in vivo. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that broad phosphorylation mediated by TSSKs plays an indispensable role in spermiogenesis.

Evidence for intraflagellar transport in butterfly spermatocyte cilia

In the model organism insect Drosophila melanogaster short cilia assemble on spermatocytes that elaborate into 1.8 mm long flagella during spermatid differentiation. A unique feature of these cilia/flagella is their lack of dependence on intraflagellar transport (IFT) for their assembly. Here, we show that in the common butterfly Pieris brassicae, the spermatocyte cilia are exceptionally long: about 40 μm compared to less than 1 μm in Drosophila. By transmission electron microscopy, we show that P. brassicae spermatocytes display several features not found in melanogaster, including compelling evidence of IFT structures and features of motile cilia.

Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals the transcriptional landscape of ND-42 mediated spermatid elongation via mitochondrial derivative maintenance in Drosophila testes

During spermatogenesis, mitochondria extend along the whole length of spermatid tail and offer a structural platform for microtubule reorganization and synchronized spermatid individualization, that eventually helps to generate mature sperm in Drosophila. However, the regulatory mechanism of spermatid mitochondria during elongation remains largely unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 42 kDa subunit (ND-42) was essential for male fertility and spermatid elongation in Drosophila. Moreover, ND-42 depletion led to mitochondrial disorders in Drosophila testes. Based on single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified 15 distinct cell clusters, including several unanticipated transitional subpopulations or differentiative stages for testicular germ cell complexity in Drosophila testes. Enrichments of the transcriptional regulatory network in the late-stage cell populations revealed key roles of ND-42 in mitochondria and its related biological processes during spermatid elongation. Notably, we demonstrated that ND-42 depletion led to maintenance defects of the major mitochondrial derivative and the minor mitochondrial derivative by affecting mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial-encoded genes. Our study proposes a novel regulatory mechanism of ND-42 for spermatid mitochondrial derivative maintenance, contributing to a better understanding of spermatid elongation.

Evolutionary diversification reveals distinct somatic versus germline cytoskeletal functions of the Arp2 branched actin nucleator protein

Branched actin networks are critical in many cellular processes, including cell motility and division. Arp2, a protein within the 7-membered Arp2/3 complex, is responsible for generating branched actin. Given its essential roles, Arp2 evolves under stringent sequence conservation throughout eukaryotic evolution. We unexpectedly discovered recurrent evolutionary diversification of Arp2 in Drosophila, yielding independently arising paralogs Arp2D in obscura species and Arp2D2 in montium species. Both paralogs are unusually testis-enriched in expression relative to Arp2. We investigated whether their sequence divergence from canonical Arp2 led to functional specialization by replacing Arp2 in D. melanogaster with either Arp2D or Arp2D2. Despite their divergence, we surprisingly found both complement Arp2's essential function in the soma, suggesting they have preserved the ability to polymerize branched actin even in a non-native species. However, we found that Arp2D-expressing males are subfertile and display many defects throughout sperm development. We pinpointed two highly diverged structural regions in Arp2D that contribute to these defects: subdomain 2 and the C-terminus. We expected that germline function would be rescued by replacing Arp2D's long and charged C-terminus with Arp2's short C-terminus, yet surprisingly, the essential somatic function of Arp2D was lost. Therefore, while Arp2D's structural divergence is incompatible with D. melanogaster sperm development, its unique C-terminus has evolved a critical role in actin polymerization. Our findings suggest canonical Arp2's function differs between somatic versus germline contexts, and Arp2 paralogs have recurrently evolved and specialized for actin branching in the testis.

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4E-5 is required for spermiogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila sperm development is characterized by extensive post-transcriptional regulation whereby thousands of transcripts are preserved for translation during later stages. A key step in translation initiation is the binding of eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) to the 5' mRNA cap. In addition to canonical eIF4E-1, Drosophila has multiple eIF4E paralogs, including four (eIF4E-3, -4, -5, and -7) that are highly expressed in the testis. Among these, only eIF4E-3 has been characterized genetically. Here, using CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis, we determined that eIF4E-5 is essential for male fertility. eIF4E-5 protein localizes to the distal ends of elongated spermatid cysts, and eIF4E-5 mutants exhibit defects during post-meiotic stages, including a mild defect in spermatid cyst polarization. eIF4E-5 mutants also have a fully penetrant defect in individualization, resulting in failure to produce mature sperm. Indeed, our data indicate that eIF4E-5 regulates non-apoptotic caspase activity during individualization by promoting local accumulation of the E3 ubiquitin ligase inhibitor Soti. Our results further extend the diversity of non-canonical eIF4Es that carry out distinct spatiotemporal roles during spermatogenesis.

RpS3 Is Required for Spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

Ribosomal proteins (RPs) constitute the ribosome, thus participating in the protein biosynthesis process. Emerging studies have suggested that many RPs exhibit different expression levels across various tissues and function in a context-dependent manner for animal development. Drosophila melanogaster RpS3 encodes the ribosomal protein S3, one component of the 40S subunit of ribosomes. We found that RpS3 is highly expressed in the reproductive organs of adult flies and its depletion in male germline cells led to severe defects in sperm production and male fertility. Immunofluorescence staining showed that RpS3 knockdown had little effect on early germ cell differentiation, but strongly disrupted the spermatid elongation and individualization processes. Furthermore, we observed abnormal morphology and activity of mitochondrial derivatives in the elongating spermatids of RpS3-knockdown testes, which could cause the failure of axoneme elongation. We also found that RpS3 RNAi inhibited the formation of the individualization complex that takes charge of disassociating the spermatid bundle. In addition, excessive apoptotic cells were detected in the RpS3-knockdown testes, possibly to clean the defective spermatids. Together, our data demonstrated that RpS3 plays an important role in regulating spermatid elongation and individualization processes and, therefore, is required for normal Drosophila spermatogenesis.

Cytochrome c1-like is required for mitochondrial morphogenesis and individualization during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

The Drosophila testis is an excellent system for studying the process from germ stem cells to motile sperm, including the proliferation of male germ cells, meiosis of primary spermatocytes, mitochondrial morphogenesis, and spermatid individualization. We previously demonstrated that ocnus (ocn) plays an essential role in male germ cell development. Among those genes and proteins whose expression levels were changed as a result of ocn knockdown, cytochrome c1-like (cyt-c1L) was downregulated significantly. Here, we show that cyt-c1L is highly expressed in the testis of D. melanogaster. Knockdown or mutation of cyt-c1L in early germ cells of flies resulted in male sterility. Immunofluorescence staining showed that cyt-c1L knockdown testes had no defects in early spermatogenesis; however, in late stages, in contrast to many individualization complexes (ICs) composed of F-actin cones that appeared at different positions in control testes, no actin cones or ICs were observed in cyt-c1L knockdown testes. Furthermore, no mature sperm were found in the seminal vesicle of cyt-c1L knockdown testes whereas the control seminal vesicle was full of mature sperm with needle-like nuclei. cyt-c1L knockdown also caused abnormal mitochondrial morphogenesis during spermatid elongation. Excessive apoptotic signals accumulated in the base of cyt-c1L knockdown fly testes. These results suggest that cyt-c1L may play an important role in spermatogenesis by affecting the mitochondrial morphogenesis and individualization of sperm in D. melanogaster.

Mitochondrial Features and Expressions of MFN2 and DRP1 during Spermiogenesis in Phascolosoma esculenta

Mitochondria can fuse or divide, a phenomenon known as mitochondrial dynamics, and their distribution within a cell changes according to the physiological status of the cell. However, the functions of mitochondrial dynamics during spermatogenesis in animals other than mammals and fruit flies are poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial distribution and morphology during spermiogenesis in Sipuncula (Phascolosoma esculenta) and investigated the expression dynamics of mitochondrial fusion-related protein MFN2 and fission-related protein DRP1 during spermiogenesis. The mitochondria, which were elliptic with abundant lamellar cristae, were mainly localized near the nucleus and distributed unilaterally in cells during most stages of spermiogenesis. Their major axis length, average diameter, cross-sectional area, and volume are significantly changed during spermiogenesis. mfn2 and drp1 mRNA and proteins were most highly expressed in coelomic fluid, a spermatid development site for male P. esculenta, and highly expressed in the breeding stage compared to in the non-breeding stage. MFN2 and DRP1 expression levels were higher in components with many spermatids than in spermatid-free components. Immunofluorescence revealed that MFN2 and DRP1 were consistently expressed and that MFN2 co-localizes with mitochondria during spermiogenesis. The results provide evidence for an important role of mitochondrial dynamics during spermiogenesis from morphology and molecular biology in P. esculenta, broadening insights into the role of mitochondrial dynamics in animal spermiogenesis.

Recovery from heat-induced infertility-A study of reproductive tissue responses and fitness consequences in male Drosophila melanogaster

The predicted temperature increase caused by climate change is a threat to biodiversity. Across animal taxa, male reproduction is often sensitive to elevated temperatures leading to fertility loss, and in more adverse scenarios, this can result in sterility when males reach their upper thermal fertility limit. Here, we investigate temperature-induced changes in reproductive tissues, fertility reduction, sterility, and the associated fitness loss during the subsequent recovery phase in male Drosophila melanogaster. We heat-stressed males during development and either allowed them to recover or not in early adulthood while measuring several determinants of male reproductive success. We found significant differences in recovery rate, organ sizes, sperm production, and other key reproductive traits among males from our different temperature treatments. Sperm maturation was impaired before reaching the upper thermal sterility threshold. While some effects were reversible, this did not compensate for the fitness loss due to damage imposed during development. Surprisingly, developmental heat stress was damaging to accessory gland growth, and female post-mating responses mediated by seminal fluid proteins were impaired regardless of the possibility of recovery. We suggest that sub-lethal thermal sterility and the subsequent fertility reduction are caused by a combination of inefficient functionality of both the accessory gland and testes.

Comparative phosphoproteomics reveal new candidates in the regulation of spermatogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

The most common phenotype induced by the endosymbiont Wolbachia in insects is cytoplasmic incompatibility, where none or fewer progenies can be produced when Wolbachia-infected males mate with uninfected females. This suggests that some modifications are induced in host sperms during spermatogenesis by Wolbachia. To identify the proteins whose phosphorylation states play essential roles in male reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster, we applied isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomic strategy combined with titanium dioxide (TiO₂ ) enrichment to compare the phosphoproteome of Wolbachia-infected with that of uninfected male reproductive systems in D. melanogaster. We identified 182 phosphopeptides, defining 140 phosphoproteins, that have at least a 1.2 fold change in abundance with a P-value of <0.05. Most of the differentially abundant phosphoproteins (DAPPs) were associated with microtubule cytoskeleton organization and spermatid differentiation. The DAPPs included proteins already known to be associated with spermatogenesis, as well as many not previously studied during this process. Six genes coding for DAPPs were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Slmap knockdown caused the most severe damage in spermatogenesis, with no mature sperm observed in seminal vesicles. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the formation of individualization complex composed of actin cones was completely disrupted. These results suggest that Wolbachia may induce wide changes in the abundance of phosphorylated proteins which are closely related to male reproduction. By identifying phospho-modulated proteins we also provide a significant candidate set for future studies on their roles in spermatogenesis.

NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes during Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis is the process through which mature male gametes are formed and is necessary for the transmission of genetic information. While much work has established how sperm fate is promoted and maintained, less is known about how the sperm morphogenesis program is executed. We previously identified a novel role for the nuclear hormone receptor transcription factor, NHR-23, in promoting Caenorhabditis elegans spermatogenesis. The depletion of NHR-23 along with SPE-44, another transcription factor that promotes spermatogenesis, caused additive phenotypes. Through RNA-seq, we determined that NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate distinct sets of genes. The depletion of both NHR-23 and SPE-44 produced yet another set of differentially regulated genes. NHR-23-regulated genes are enriched in phosphatases, consistent with the switch from genome quiescence to post-translational regulation in spermatids. In the parasitic nematode Ascaris suum, MFP1 and MFP2 control the polymerization of Major Sperm Protein, the molecule that drives sperm motility and serves as a signal to promote ovulation. NHR-23 and SPE-44 regulate several MFP2 paralogs, and NHR-23 depletion from the male germline caused defective localization of MSD/MFP1 and NSPH-2/MFP2. Although NHR-23 and SPE-44 do not transcriptionally regulate the casein kinase gene spe-6, a key regulator of sperm development, SPE-6 protein is lost following NHR-23+SPE-44 depletion. Together, these experiments provide the first mechanistic insight into how NHR-23 promotes spermatogenesis and an entry point to understanding the synthetic genetic interaction between nhr-23 and spe-44.

Gap junctions mediate discrete regulatory steps during fly spermatogenesis

Gametogenesis requires coordinated signaling between germ cells and somatic cells. We previously showed that Gap junction (GJ)-mediated soma-germline communication is essential for fly spermatogenesis. Specifically, the GJ protein Innexin4/Zero population growth (Zpg) is necessary for somatic and germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation. It remains unknown how GJ-mediated signals regulate spermatogenesis or whether the function of these signals is restricted to the earliest stages of spermatogenesis. Here we carried out comprehensive structure/function analysis of Zpg using insights obtained from the protein structure of innexins to design mutations aimed at selectively perturbing different regulatory regions as well as the channel pore of Zpg. We identify the roles of various regulatory sites in Zpg in the assembly and maintenance of GJs at the plasma membrane. Moreover, mutations designed to selectively disrupt, based on size and charge, the passage of cargos through the Zpg channel pore, blocked different stages of spermatogenesis. Mutations were identified that progressed through early germline and soma development, but exhibited defects in entry to meiosis or sperm individualisation, resulting in reduced fertility or sterility. Our work shows that specific signals that pass through GJs regulate the transition between different stages of gametogenesis.

Mutation in Drosophila concentrative nucleoside transporter 1 alters spermatid maturation and mating behavior

Concentrative nucleoside transporters (Cnts) are unidirectional carriers that mediate the energy-costly influx of nucleosides driven by the transmembrane sodium gradient. Cnts are transmembrane proteins that share a common structural organization and are found in all phyla. Although there have been studies on Cnts from a biochemical perspective, no deep research has examined their role at the organismal level. Here, we investigated the role of the Drosophila melanogaster cnt1 gene, which is specifically expressed in the testes. We used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate a mutation in the cnt1 gene. The cnt1 mutants exhibited defects in the duration of copulation and spermatid maturation, which significantly impaired male fertility. The most striking effect of the cnt1 mutation in spermatid maturation was an abnormal structure of the sperm tail, in which the formation of major and minor mitochondrial derivatives was disrupted. Our results demonstrate the importance of cnt1 in male fertility and suggest that the observed defects in mating behavior and spermatogenesis are due to alterations in nucleoside transport and associated metabolic pathways.

Comparative Ubiquitome Analysis Reveals Deubiquitinating Effects Induced by Wolbachia Infection in Drosophila melanogaster

The endosymbiotic Wolbachia bacteria frequently cause cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) in their insect hosts, where Wolbachia-infected males cross with uninfected females, leading to no or fewer progenies, indicating a paternal modification by Wolbachia. Recent studies have identified a Wolbachia protein, CidB, containing a DUB (deubiquitylating enzyme) domain, which can be loaded into host sperm nuclei and involved in CI, though the DUB activity is not necessary for CI in Drosophila melanogaster. To investigate whether and how Wolbachia affect protein ubiquitination in testes of male hosts and are thus involved in male fertility, we compared the protein and ubiquitinated protein expressions in D. melanogaster testes with and without Wolbachia. A total of 643 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 309 differentially expressed ubiquitinated proteins (DEUPs) were identified to have at least a 1.5-fold change with a p-value of <0.05. Many DEPs were enriched in metabolic pathway, ribosome, RNA transport, and post-translational protein modification pathways. Many DEUPs were involved in metabolism, ribosome, and proteasome pathways. Notably, 98.1% DEUPs were downregulated in the presence of Wolbachia. Four genes coding for DEUPs in ubiquitin proteasome pathways were knocked down, respectively, in Wolbachia-free fly testes. Among them, Rpn6 and Rpn7 knockdown caused male sterility, with no mature sperm in seminal vesicles. These results reveal deubiquitylating effects induced by Wolbachia infection, suggesting that Wolbachia can widely deubiquitinate proteins that have crucial functions in male fertility of their hosts, but are not involved in CI. Our data provide new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of endosymbiont/host interactions and male fertility.