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Nutrient conditions sensed by the reproductive organ during development optimize male fecundity in Drosophila
Author(s) -
Kubo Ayuko,
Matsuka Mirai,
Minami Ryunosuke,
Kimura Fumika,
SakataNiitsu Rumi,
Kokuryo Akihiko,
Taniguchi Kiichiro,
AdachiYamada Takashi,
Nakagoshi Hideki
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
genes to cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.912
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1365-2443
pISSN - 1356-9597
DOI - 10.1111/gtc.12600
Subject(s) - biology , fecundity , nutrient , oogenesis , fertility , reproductive system , microbiology and biotechnology , drosophila (subgenus) , gene , zoology , medicine , endocrinology , ecology , genetics , embryo , oocyte , population , demography , sociology
Abstract Nutrient conditions affect the reproductive potential and lifespan of many organisms through the insulin signaling pathway. Although this is well characterized in female oogenesis, nutrient‐dependent regulation of fertility/fecundity in males is not known. Seminal fluid components synthesized in the accessory gland are required for high fecundity in Drosophila males. The accessory gland is composed of two types of binucleated cells: a main cell and a secondary cell ( SC ). The transcription factors Defective proventriculus (Dve) and Abdominal‐B (Abd‐B) are strongly expressed in adult SC s, whose functions are essential for male fecundity. We found that gene expression of both Dve and Abd‐B was down‐regulated under nutrient‐poor conditions. In addition, nutrient conditions during the pupal stage affected the size and number of SC s. These morphological changes clearly correlated with fecundity, suggesting that SC s act as nutrient sensors. Here, we provide evidence that Dve associates nutrient conditions with optimal reproductive potential in a target of rapamycin signaling‐dependent manner.