Beadex function in the motor neurons is essential for female reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 14;9(11):e113003. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113003. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Drosophila melanogaster has served as an excellent model system for understanding the neuronal circuits and molecular mechanisms regulating complex behaviors. The Drosophila female reproductive circuits, in particular, are well studied and can be used as a tool to understand the role of novel genes in neuronal function in general and female reproduction in particular. In the present study, the role of Beadex, a transcription co-activator, in Drosophila female reproduction was assessed by generation of mutant and knock down studies. Null allele of Beadex was generated by transposase induced excision of P-element present within an intron of Beadex gene. The mutant showed highly compromised reproductive abilities as evaluated by reduced fecundity and fertility, abnormal oviposition and more importantly, the failure of sperm release from storage organs. However, no defect was found in the overall ovariole development. Tissue specific, targeted knock down of Beadex indicated that its function in neurons is important for efficient female reproduction, since its neuronal knock down led to compromised female reproductive abilities, similar to Beadex null females. Further, different neuronal class specific knock down studies revealed that Beadex function is required in motor neurons for normal fecundity and fertility of females. Thus, the present study attributes a novel and essential role for Beadex in female reproduction through neurons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics*
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fertility / physiology
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genotype
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Motor Neurons / metabolism*
  • Ovary / growth & development
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Oviposition / physiology
  • Reproduction*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Bx protein, Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • GAL4 protein, Drosophila
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Transcription Factors

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (http://dbtindia.nic.in/index.asp, to UN), and Indian Institute of Science (www.iisc.ernet.in, to UN and SK). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.