The Role of Y chromosome genes in male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster

TitleThe Role of Y chromosome genes in male fertility in Drosophila melanogaster
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsZhang J, Luo J, Chen J, Dai J, Montell C
JournalGenetics
Volume215
Issue3
Pagination623-633
Date Published2020 Jul
ISSN1943-2631
Abstract

The Y chromosome of is pivotal for male fertility. Yet, only 16 protein-coding genes reside on this chromosome. The Y chromosome is comprised primarily of heterochromatic sequences, including DNA repeats and satellite DNA, and most of the Y chromosome is still missing from the genome sequence. Furthermore, the functions of the majority of genes on the Y chromosome remain elusive. Through multiple genetic strategies, six distinct segments on the Y chromosome have been identified as "male fertility factors," and candidate gene sequences corresponding to each of these loci have been ascribed. In one case, , a specific protein coding sequence for a fertility factor has been confirmed molecularly. Here, we employed CRISPR/Cas9 to generate mutations, and RNAi, to interrogate the requirements of protein coding sequences on the Y chromosome for male fertility. We show that CRISPR/Cas9-mediated editing of and causes male sterility, supporting the model that these gene sequences correspond to the cognate fertility factors. We show that another gene, , also functions in male fertility and may be the fertility factor. We demonstrate that editing of , , and , and RNAi knockdown of , disrupts nuclear elongation, and leads to defects in sperm individualization, including impairments in the individualization complex (IC) and synchronization. However, CRISPR/Cas9 mediated knockout of some genes on the Y chromosome, such as , , and do not cause sterility, indicating that not all Y chromosome genes are essential for male fertility.

DOI10.1534/genetics.120.303324
Alternate JournalGenetics
PubMed ID32404399
Grant ListDP1 AI124453 / AI / NIAID NIH HHS / United States