Drosophilapolypyrimidine tract-binding protein is necessary for spermatid individualization

Drosophila polypyrimidine tract-binding protein is necessary for spermatid individualization.

Although mammalian polypyrimidine tract-binding (PTB) protein functions in most or all cell types to regulate a wide spectrum of transcripts, Drosophila PTB encodes an abundant male germline-specific mRNA isoform (dmPTB) whose expression correlates with male fertility. The biological function of this isoform is unknown. Using selection-amplification, we show that mammalian and Drosophila PTB ha...

Polypyrimidine Tract-Binding Protein Is

Drosophila LKB1 is required for the assembly of the polarized actin structure that allows spermatid individualization

In mammals, a testis-specific isoform of the protein kinase LKB1 is required for spermiogenesis, but its exact function and specificity are not known. Human LKB1 rescues the functions of Drosophila Lkb1 essential for viability, but these males are sterile, revealing a new function for this genes in fly. We also identified a testis-specific transcript generated by an alternative promoter and tha...

Separating from the pack: Molecular mechanisms of Drosophila spermatid individualization

Successful completion of gametogenesis is critical for perpetuation of the species. In addition to the inherent interest, studies of gamete development, in particular spermatogenesis, have yielded insight into diverse biological processes, including actin and microtubule organization, mitochondrial dynamics, plasma membrane remodeling, lipid signaling, apoptosis, and many others. Mammalian sper...

Drosophila spermatid individualization is sensitive to temperature and fatty acid metabolism

Fatty acids are precursors of potent lipid signaling molecules. They are stored in membrane phospholipids and released by phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Lysophospholipid acyltransferases (ATs) oppose PLA2 by re-esterifying fatty acids into phospholipids, in a biochemical pathway known as the Lands Cycle. Drosophila Lands Cycle ATs oys and nes, as well as 7 predicted PLA2 genes, are expressed in the m...