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About the Authors:
Michael John Fairchild
Roles Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Supervision, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing
Affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Fayeza Islam
Roles Investigation, Methodology, Supervision
Affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Guy Tanentzapf
Roles Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Project administration, Supervision, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing
* E-mail: [email protected]
Affiliation: Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2443-233XAbstract
Spermatogenesis is a dynamic developmental process requiring precisely timed transitions between discrete stages. Specifically, the germline undergoes three transitions: from mitotic spermatogonia to spermatocytes, from meiotic spermatocytes to spermatids, and from morphogenetic spermatids to spermatozoa. The somatic cells of the testis provide essential support to the germline throughout spermatogenesis, but their precise role during these developmental transitions has not been comprehensively explored. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of genes that are required in the somatic cells of the Drosophila melanogaster testis for progress through spermatogenesis. Phenotypic analysis of candidate genes pinpointed the stage of germline development disrupted. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that particular gene classes were associated with specific developmental transitions. Requirement for genes associated with endocytosis, cell polarity, and microtubule-based transport corresponded with the development of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids, respectively. Overall, we identify mechanisms that act specifically in the somatic cells of the testis to regulate spermatogenesis.
Author summary
Sexual reproduction in animals requires the production of male and female gametes, spermatozoa and ova, respectively. Gametes are derived from specialized cells known as the germline through a process called gametogenesis. Gametogenesis typically takes place in a gonad and requires the germ cells to be surrounded by specialized somatic cells that support germline development. While many prior studies have identified germline specific genes required for gametogenesis few have systematically identified genes required in the somatic cells for gametogenesis. To this end we performed an RNAi screen where we disrupted the function of genes specifically in the somatic cyst cells of the Drosophila melanogaster testis. Using fertility assays we identified 281 genes that are required in somatic cyst cells for fertility. To better understand the role of...