Mating-responsive genes in reproductive tissues of femaleDrosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Male-derived accessory gland proteins that are transferred to females during mating have profound effects on female reproductive physiology including increased ovulation, mating inhibition, and effects on sperm utilization and storage. The extreme rates of evolution seen in accessory gland proteins may be driven by sperm competition and sexual conflict, processes that may ultimately drive complex interactions between female-and male-derived molecules and sperm. However, little is known of how gene expression in female reproductive tissues changes in response to the presence of male molecules and sperm. To characterize this response, we conducted parallel genomic and proteomic analyses of gene expression in the reproductive tract of 3-day-old unmated and mated female Drosophila melanogaster. Using DNA microarrays, we identified 539 transcripts that are differentially expressed in unmated vs. mated females and revealed a striking peak in differential expression at 6 h postmating and a marked shift from primarily down-regulated to primarily up-regulated transcripts within 3 h after mating. Combining two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analyses, we identified 84 differentially expressed proteins at 3 h postmating, including proteins that appeared to undergo posttranslational modification. Together, our observations define transcriptional and translational response to mating within the female reproductive tract and suggest a bimodal model of postmating gene expression initially correlated with mating and the final stages of female reproductive tract maturation and later with the declining presence of male reproductive molecules and with sperm maintenance and utilization.accessory gland proteins ͉ reproduction ͉ reproductive tract ͉ sperm ͉ sexual conflict

Mating induces an immune response and developmental switch in theDrosophilaoviduct

“…2). This suggests that the oviduct response after mating includes a posttranscriptional component, as observed in the lower female RT (9). Thus, the proteome analysis identified 17 additional mating-responsive genes and insights about the oviduct response to mating.…”

“…Molecular profiling of female whole-body and lower RT (soma that store sperm) suggests that mating does induce physiological changes (8,9). To further understand how the female reproductive system achieves maximal functionality to support a high fertility rate, we examined the effect of mating on the oviduct (soma in which eggs are activated).…”

Sex peptide of Drosophila melanogaster males is a global regulator of reproductive processes in females

“…We assayed mRNAs regulated by SP at 3 and 6 h after mating, to coincide with phenotypic responses observed at 3 h [20,21,23,[33][34][35] and through 6 h and beyond [14,20]. We conducted fourfold independent biological replication.…”

Molecular and cellular components of the mating machinery in Anopheles gambiae females

“…Studies on the molecular basis of the female response to mating in insects have so far been mainly limited to Drosophila melanogaster, where postcopulatory changes in gene expression are generally of small scale (Ͻ2-fold) (5)(6)(7)(8). Across a number of microarray studies, only 1 functional class shows a consistently strong response to mating: immune genes, in particular antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are highly induced (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

“…Across a number of microarray studies, only 1 functional class shows a consistently strong response to mating: immune genes, in particular antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are highly induced (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10). In the only other insect analyzed to date, the honey bee Apis mellifera, mating mainly causes transcriptional changes in genes associated with egg production in the ovaries (11).…”