ATP synthase is required for male fertility and germ cell maturation in Drosophila testes

Abstract

Germ cell maturation is essential for spermatogenesis and testis homeostasis. ATP synthase serves significant roles in energy storage in germ cell survival and is catalyzed by alterations in the mitochondrial membrane proton concentration. The intrinsic cellular mechanisms governing stem cell maturation remain largely unknown. In the present study, in vivo RNA interference (RNAi) screening of major ATP synthase subunits was performed, and the function of ATP synthase for male fertility and spermatogenesis in Drosophila was explored. A Upstream Activation Sequence/Gal4 transcription factor system was used to knock down gene expression in specific cell types, and immunofluorescence staining was conducted to assess the roles of ATP synthase subunits in Drosophila testes. It was identified that knockdown of ATP synthase resulted in male infertility and abnormal spermatogenesis in Drosophila testes. In addition, knockdown of the ATP synthase β subunit in germ cells resulted in defects in male infertility and germ cell maturation, while the hub and cyst cell populations were maintained. Other major ATP synthase subunits were also examined and similar phenotypes in Drosophila testes were identified. Taken together, the data from the present study revealed that ATP synthase serves important roles for male fertility during spermatogenesis by regulating germ cell maturation in Drosophila testes.

Genome-wide occupancy reveals the localization of H1T2 (H1fnt) to repeat regions and a subset of transcriptionally active chromatin domains in rat spermatids

“…Notably, ATP synthase subunits (ATP5B, ATP5F1, ATP5C1, ATP5O, ATP5A1, ATP5H) were also observed in this list, whose function is essential for germ cell maturation. Interestingly, their knockdown in Drosophila testes resulted in male infertility and abnormal spermatogenesis [ 74 ]. We also carried out functional annotation of H1T2–chromatin interactome on the basis of biological process and the most significant categories are shown in the pie diagram (Fig.…”

High-resolution transcriptional profiling of Anopheles gambiae spermatogenesis reveals mechanisms of sex chromosome regulation

“…Genes included within the ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis pathway show a characteristic trend of expression in the premeiotic stage, where ubiquitination is required for GSCs maintenance 48–51 , and high transcript levels in the postmeiotic stage, where these components are necessary for sperm individualisation, reorganisation of chromatin structure and nuclear condensation, acrosome formation and paternal mitochondrial elimination 24,52 . On the other hand, oxidative phosphorylation and citrate cycle components, predominantly transcribed in the postmeiotic population, utilise the products of both nuclear and mitochondrial genes to provide the energy required in the late stages of spermatogenesis and mature sperm 53,54 . We finally show that most of the genes involved in DNA replication, RNA transcription (within the Basal transcription factors and RNA polymerase pathways), RNA maturation (Spliceosome) and translation (Ribosome) are already present in the initial stages of spermatogenesis (Supplementary Fig.…”

Genomic divergences between the two polyphagous Spodoptera relatives provide cues for successful invasion of the fall armyworm

“…The β subunit locates in the F1 region and has been proven to play an important role in individual growth, development and male fertility in Caenorhabditis elegans (Kawasaki et al ., 2007). Knockout of this gene causes stunted growth and abnormal sperm development in Drosophila (Yu et al ., 2019). Therefore, selection on this gene in S. frugiperda is supposed to be associated with its enhanced locomotivity and rapid expansion.…”