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Rap‐GEF/Rap signaling restricts the formation of supernumerary spermathecae in Drosophila melanogaster
Author(s) -
Singh Shree R.,
Oh SuWan,
Liu Wei,
Chen Xiu,
Zheng Zhiyu,
Hou Steven X.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
development, growth and differentiation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.864
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1440-169X
pISSN - 0012-1592
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-169x.2006.00854.x
Subject(s) - biology , drosophila melanogaster , spermatheca , mutant , bristle , supernumerary , drosophila (subgenus) , ectopic expression , microbiology and biotechnology , phenotype , genetics , sperm , anatomy , gene , brush , electrical engineering , engineering
Sperm storage in the female is a key factor for reproductive success in a variety of organisms, including Drosophila melanogaster . The spermathecae (SP) are the Drosophila organs for long‐term storage. While wild‐type female flies have two SP, occasionally, three or four SP have been observed in mutant flies. However, the molecular mechanism of SP formation is unknown. Here we show that loss of function of a Drosophila Rap‐GEF (GEF26) result in an occurrence of the supernumerary SP; females have three SP (varies from 11 to 62% in different allele combinations) instead of the normal two SP. In addition, the Gef26 mutant flies also have ectopic wing veins and extra mechanosensory organs. The supernumerary SP phenotype of the Gef26 mutation can be enhanced by the Drosophila Rap mutations and rescued by overexpressing the cell adhesion molecule DE‐cadherin. These data suggest that the Rap‐GEF/Rap signaling controls the formation of supernumerary spermathecae through modulating cell adhesion in Drosophila .