NEUROBIOLOGYA team of neurobiologists has knocked out a gene in mice thought to encode a crucial ... more NEUROBIOLOGYA team of neurobiologists has knocked out a gene in mice thought to encode a crucial part of the molecular machinery that generates circadian rhythms. To their great surprise, the clock didn't stop. ([Read more][1].) [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/312/5774/673
Fertility depends, in part, on interactions between male and female reproductive proteins inside ... more Fertility depends, in part, on interactions between male and female reproductive proteins inside the female reproductive tract (FRT) that mediate postmating changes in female behaviour, morphology and physiology. Coevolution between interacting proteins within species may drive reproductive incompatibilities between species, yet the mechanisms underlying postmating–prezygotic (PMPZ) isolating barriers remain poorly resolved. Here, we used quantitative proteomics in sibling <i>Drosophila</i> species to investigate the molecular composition of the FRT environment and its role in mediating species-specific postmating responses. We found that (i) FRT proteomes in <i>D. simulans</i> and <i>D. mauritiana</i> virgin females express unique combinations of secreted proteins and are enriched for distinct functional categories, (ii) mating induces substantial changes to the FRT proteome in <i>D. mauritiana</i> but not in <i>D. simulans</i> and (iii) the <i>D. simulans</i> FRT proteome exhibits limited postmating changes irrespective of whether females mate with conspecific or heterospecific males, suggesting an active female role in mediating reproductive interactions. Comparisons with similar data in the closely related outgroup species <i>D. melanogaster</i> suggest that divergence is concentrated on the <i>D. simulans</i> lineage. Our study suggests that divergence in the FRT extracellular environment and postmating response contribute to previously described patterns of PMPZ isolation and the maintenance of species boundaries.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Mar 7, 2022
Significance In species with internal fertilization, sperm spend an important part of their lives... more Significance In species with internal fertilization, sperm spend an important part of their lives within the female. To examine the life history of the sperm during this time, we used semiquantitative proteomics and sex-specific isotopic labeling in fruit flies to determine the extent of molecular continuity between male and female reproductive tracts and provide a global catalog of sperm-associated proteins. Multiple seminal fluid proteins and female proteins associate with sperm immediately after mating. Few seminal fluid proteins remain after long-term sperm storage, whereas female-derived proteins constitute one-fifth of the postmating sperm proteome by then. Our data reveal a molecular “hand-off” from males to females, which we postulate to be an important component of sperm–female interactions.
NEUROBIOLOGYA team of neurobiologists has knocked out a gene in mice thought to encode a crucial ... more NEUROBIOLOGYA team of neurobiologists has knocked out a gene in mice thought to encode a crucial part of the molecular machinery that generates circadian rhythms. To their great surprise, the clock didn't stop. ([Read more][1].) [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/312/5774/673
Fertility depends, in part, on interactions between male and female reproductive proteins inside ... more Fertility depends, in part, on interactions between male and female reproductive proteins inside the female reproductive tract (FRT) that mediate postmating changes in female behaviour, morphology and physiology. Coevolution between interacting proteins within species may drive reproductive incompatibilities between species, yet the mechanisms underlying postmating–prezygotic (PMPZ) isolating barriers remain poorly resolved. Here, we used quantitative proteomics in sibling <i>Drosophila</i> species to investigate the molecular composition of the FRT environment and its role in mediating species-specific postmating responses. We found that (i) FRT proteomes in <i>D. simulans</i> and <i>D. mauritiana</i> virgin females express unique combinations of secreted proteins and are enriched for distinct functional categories, (ii) mating induces substantial changes to the FRT proteome in <i>D. mauritiana</i> but not in <i>D. simulans</i> and (iii) the <i>D. simulans</i> FRT proteome exhibits limited postmating changes irrespective of whether females mate with conspecific or heterospecific males, suggesting an active female role in mediating reproductive interactions. Comparisons with similar data in the closely related outgroup species <i>D. melanogaster</i> suggest that divergence is concentrated on the <i>D. simulans</i> lineage. Our study suggests that divergence in the FRT extracellular environment and postmating response contribute to previously described patterns of PMPZ isolation and the maintenance of species boundaries.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Mar 7, 2022
Significance In species with internal fertilization, sperm spend an important part of their lives... more Significance In species with internal fertilization, sperm spend an important part of their lives within the female. To examine the life history of the sperm during this time, we used semiquantitative proteomics and sex-specific isotopic labeling in fruit flies to determine the extent of molecular continuity between male and female reproductive tracts and provide a global catalog of sperm-associated proteins. Multiple seminal fluid proteins and female proteins associate with sperm immediately after mating. Few seminal fluid proteins remain after long-term sperm storage, whereas female-derived proteins constitute one-fifth of the postmating sperm proteome by then. Our data reveal a molecular “hand-off” from males to females, which we postulate to be an important component of sperm–female interactions.
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