Dual role of the Pax genepairedin accessory gland development ofDrosophila

Development ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Xue ◽  
Markus Noll

The Drosophila Pax gene paired encodes a transcription factor that is required for the activation of segment-polarity genes and proper segmentation of the larval cuticle, postembryonic viability and male fertility. We show that paired executes a dual role in the development of male accessory glands, the organ homologous to the human prostate. An early function is necessary to promote cell proliferation, whereas a late function, which regulates the expression of accessory gland products such as the sex peptide and Acp26Aa protein, is essential for maturation and differentiation of accessory glands. The late function exhibits in main and secondary secretory cells of accessory glands dynamic patterns of Paired expression that depend in both cell types on the mating activity of adult males, possibly because Paired expression is regulated by negative feedback. The early Paired function depends on domains or motifs in its C-terminal moiety and the late function on the DNA-binding specificity of its N-terminal paired-domain and/or homeodomain. Both Paired functions are absolutely required for male fertility, and both depend on an enhancer located within 0.8 kb of the downstream region of paired.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Prince ◽  
M. Brankatschk ◽  
B. Kroeger ◽  
D. Gligorov ◽  
C. Wilson ◽  
...  

AbstractIt is known that the male seminal fluid contains factors that affect female post-mating behavior and physiology. In Drosophila, most of these factors are secreted by the two epithelial cell types that make up the male accessory gland: the main and secondary cells. Although secondary cells represent only 4% of the cells of the accessory gland, their contribution to the male seminal fluid is essential for sustaining the female post-mating response. To better understand the function of the secondary cells, here we investigate their molecular organization, particularly with respect to the intracellular membrane transport machinery. We determined that large vacuole-like structures found in the secondary cells are trafficking hubs labeled by Rab6, 7, 11 and 19. Furthermore, these cell-specific organelles are essential for the long-term post-mating behavior of females and that their formation is directly dependent upon Rab6. Our discovery adds to our understanding of Rab proteins function in secretory cells. We have created an online, open-access imaging resource as a valuable tool for the intracellular membrane and protein traffic community.


1976 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 990-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. H. Gerber

The histogenic changes in the internal genitalia and mesenteron and the hardening and darkening of the cuticle during the first days of adult life in Tenebrio molitor L. are described. At emergence, the testes contain mature spermatozoa and the ovaries possess small oocytes. During the first 3 days, the shape, size, appearance, and staining characteristics of the secretory cells of the lateral oviducts, female accessory gland, tube accessory glands, bean-shaped accessory glands, and glandular region of the vasa deferentia change. Similar changes were not seen in the seminal vesicles and spermatheca. All of the secondary sex glands are filled with secretion by day 4. In the midgut, changes occur in the size, shape, and appearance of the epithelial cells by the 3rd day, and a peritrophic membrane is secreted during days 2 and 3. Most adults do not begin to feed until after the 3rd day. By day 3, the hardening and darkening of the cuticle are completed. All of these changes clearly are associated with adult maturation, especially sexual maturation, and most or all of the them must take place before the adults are able to copulate and oviposit.


1973 ◽  
Vol 105 (10) ◽  
pp. 1275-1280 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. D. Blaine ◽  
S. E. Dixon

AbstractThe juvenile hormone was necessary for the sex accessory glands in newly metamorphosed, adult males, to produce a normal amount of spermatophore material. Protein production could be restored to normal in allatectomized newly metamorphosed roaches by implanting adult or nymphal roach corpora allata. In decapitated roaches, the weight of the accessory gland is reduced drastically. The weight of the gland could be increased by implanting adult roach corpora allata, or by injecting juvenile hormone.


2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (49) ◽  
pp. 24719-24728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben R. Hopkins ◽  
Irem Sepil ◽  
Sarah Bonham ◽  
Thomas Miller ◽  
Philip D. Charles ◽  
...  

Seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) exert potent effects on male and female fitness. Rapidly evolving and molecularly diverse, they derive from multiple male secretory cells and tissues. In Drosophila melanogaster, most SFPs are produced in the accessory glands, which are composed of ∼1,000 fertility-enhancing “main cells” and ∼40 more functionally cryptic “secondary cells.” Inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling in secondary cells suppresses secretion, leading to a unique uncoupling of normal female postmating responses to the ejaculate: refractoriness stimulation is impaired, but offspring production is not. Secondary-cell secretions might therefore make highly specific contributions to the seminal proteome and ejaculate function; alternatively, they might regulate more global—but hitherto undiscovered—SFP functions and proteome composition. Here, we present data that support the latter model. We show that in addition to previously reported phenotypes, secondary-cell-specific BMP signaling inhibition compromises sperm storage and increases female sperm use efficiency. It also impacts second male sperm, tending to slow entry into storage and delay ejection. First male paternity is enhanced, which suggests a constraint on ejaculate evolution whereby high female refractoriness and sperm competitiveness are mutually exclusive. Using quantitative proteomics, we reveal changes to the seminal proteome that surprisingly encompass alterations to main-cell–derived proteins, indicating important cross-talk between classes of SFP-secreting cells. Our results demonstrate that ejaculate composition and function emerge from the integrated action of multiple secretory cell types, suggesting that modification to the cellular make-up of seminal-fluid-producing tissues is an important factor in ejaculate evolution.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben R. Hopkins ◽  
Irem Sepil ◽  
Sarah Bonham ◽  
Thomas Miller ◽  
Philip D. Charles ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTSeminal fluid proteins (SFPs) exert potent effects on male and female fitness. Rapidly evolving and molecularly diverse, they derive from multiple male secretory cells and tissues. In Drosophila melanogaster, most SFPs are produced in the accessory glands, which are composed of ∼1000 fertility-enhancing ‘main cells’ and ∼40, more functionally cryptic, ‘secondary cells’. Inhibition of BMP-signalling in secondary cells suppresses secretion, leading to a unique uncoupling of normal female post-mating responses to the ejaculate: refractoriness stimulation is impaired, but offspring production is not. Secondary cell secretions might therefore make a highly specific contribution to the seminal proteome and ejaculate function; alternatively, they might regulate more global – but hitherto-undiscovered – SFP functions and proteome composition. Here, we present data that supports the latter model. We show that in addition to previously reported phenotypes, secondary cell-specific BMP-signalling inhibition compromises sperm storage and increases female sperm use efficiency. It also impacts second male sperm, tending to slow entry into storage and delay ejection. First male paternity is enhanced, which suggests a novel constraint on ejaculate evolution whereby high female refractoriness and sperm competitiveness are mutually exclusive. Using quantitative proteomics, we reveal a mix of specific and widespread changes to the seminal proteome that surprisingly encompass alterations to main cell-derived proteins, indicating important cross-talk between classes of SFP-secreting cells. Our results demonstrate that ejaculate composition and function emerge from the integrated action of multiple secretory cell-types suggesting that modification to the cellular make-up of seminal fluid-producing tissues is an important factor in ejaculate evolution.


Author(s):  
C.S. Bricker ◽  
K.A. Grimnes ◽  
G.M. Happ

The reproductive accessory gland complex of male Tenebrio molitor consists of two sets of paired glands: the bean-shaped (BAGs) and the tubular-shaped accessory glands (TAGs). Unlike the TAG, which contains a single cell type, the BAG contains at least seven cell types differentiated by the ultrastructure of their secretory granules. The BAG also synthesizes a wider variety of proteins. As the gland becomes mature, granules are secreted into the lumen of the BAG, forming the plug, and are molded into the spermatophore, a complex structure used to transmit sperm to the female during mating. Up to this point it has been difficult to correlate individual protein species with specific granule types. Therefore, we have turned to monoclonal antibody technology and immunoelectron microscopy to investigate the production, localization and fate of BAG and spermatophore proteins.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Immarigeon ◽  
François Karch ◽  
Robert K. Maeda

ABSTRACTTo appreciate the function of an organ, it is often critical to understand the role of rare cell populations. Unfortunately, this rarity often makes it difficult to obtain material for study. This is the case for the Drosophila male accessory gland, the functional homolog of mammalian prostate and seminal vesicle. In Drosophila, this gland is made up of two morphologically distinct cell types: the polygonally-shaped main cells, which compose 96% of the organ, and the larger, vacuole-containing secondary cells (SCs), which represent the remaining 4% of cells (~40 cells per lobe). Both cell types are known to produce accessory gland proteins (Acps), which are important components of the seminal fluid and are responsible for triggering multiple physiological and behavioral processes in females, collectively called the post-mating response (PMR). While a few genes are known to be specific to the SCs, the relative rarity of SCs has hindered the study of their whole transcriptome. Here, a method allowing for the isolation of SCs is presented, enabling the extraction and sequencing of RNAs from this rare cell population. The protocol consists of dissection, protease digestion and mechanical dissociation of the glands to obtain individual cells. Then, the cells are sorted by FACS, and living GFP-expressing SC singulets are isolated for RNA extraction. This procedure is able to provide SC-specific RNAs from ~40 males per condition in the course of one day. Given the speed and low number of flies required, this method enables the use of downstream RT-qPCR and/or RNA sequencing to the study gene expression in the SCs from different genetic backgrounds, ages, mating statuses or environmental conditions.SUMMARYHere, we describe the dissociation and sorting of a specific cell population from the Drosophila male accessory glands (Secondary cells), followed by RNA extraction for sequencing and RT-qPCR. The dissociation consists of dissection, proteases digestion and mechanical dispersion, followed by FACS purification of GFP-expressing cells.


Author(s):  
S. Tai

Extensive cytological and histological research, correlated with physiological experimental analysis, have been done on the anterior pituitaries of many different vertebrates which have provided the knowledge to create the concept that specific cell types synthesize, store and release their specific hormones. These hormones are stored in or associated with granules. Nevertheless, there are still many doubts - that need further studies, specially on the ultrastructure and physiology of these endocrine cells during the process of synthesis, transport and secretion, whereas some new methods may provide the information about the intracellular structure and activity in detail.In the present work, ultrastructural study of the hormone-secretory cells of chicken pituitaries have been done by using TEM as well as HR-SEM, to correlate the informations obtained from 2-dimensional TEM micrography with the 3-dimensional SEM topographic images, which have a continous surface with larger depth of field that - offers the adventage to interpretate some intracellular structures which were not possible to see using TEM.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ofir Klein ◽  
Ronit Sagi-Eisenberg

Anaphylaxis is a notorious type 2 immune response which may result in a systemic response and lead to death. A precondition for the unfolding of the anaphylactic shock is the secretion of inflammatory mediators from mast cells in response to an allergen, mostly through activation of the cells via the IgE-dependent pathway. While mast cells are specialized secretory cells that can secrete through a variety of exocytic modes, the most predominant mode exerted by the mast cell during anaphylaxis is compound exocytosis—a specialized form of regulated exocytosis where secretory granules fuse to one another. Here, we review the modes of regulated exocytosis in the mast cell and focus on compound exocytosis. We review historical landmarks in the research of compound exocytosis in mast cells and the methods available for investigating compound exocytosis. We also review the molecular mechanisms reported to underlie compound exocytosis in mast cells and expand further with reviewing key findings from other cell types. Finally, we discuss the possible reasons for the mast cell to utilize compound exocytosis during anaphylaxis, the conflicting evidence in different mast cell models, and the open questions in the field which remain to be answered.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Peter Walentek

Mucociliary epithelia are composed of multiciliated, secretory, and stem cells and line various organs in vertebrates such as the respiratory tract. By means of mucociliary clearance, those epithelia provide a first line of defense against inhaled particles and pathogens. Mucociliary clearance relies on the correct composition of cell types, that is, the proper balance of ciliated and secretory cells. A failure to generate and to maintain correct cell type composition and function results in impaired clearance and high risk to infections, such as in congenital diseases (e.g., ciliopathies) as well as in acquired diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). While it remains incompletely resolved how precisely cell types are specified and maintained in development and disease, many studies have revealed important mechanisms regarding the signaling control in mucociliary cell types in various species. Those studies not only provided insights into the signaling contribution to organ development and regeneration but also highlighted the remarkable plasticity of cell identity encountered in mucociliary maintenance, including frequent trans-differentiation events during homeostasis and specifically in disease. This review will summarize major findings and provide perspectives regarding the future of mucociliary research and the treatment of chronic airway diseases associated with tissue remodeling.


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