M6 membrane protein plays an essential role in Drosophila oogenesis
María Paula Zappia1, Marcela Adriana Brocco, Silvia C Billi
1Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de General San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina. mpzappia@iib.unsam.edu.ar
Abstract:
We had previously shown that the transmembrane glycoprotein M6a, a member of the proteolipid protein (PLP) family, regulates neurite/filopodium outgrowth, hence, M6a might be involved in neuronal remodeling and differentiation. In this work we focused on M6, the only PLP family member present in Drosophila, and ortholog to M6a. Unexpectedly, we found that decreased expression of M6 leads to female sterility. M6 is expressed in the membrane of the follicular epithelium in ovarioles throughout oogenesis. Phenotypes triggered by M6 downregulation in hypomorphic mutants included egg collapse and egg permeability, thus suggesting M6 involvement in eggshell biosynthesis. In addition, RNAi-mediated M6 knockdown targeted specifically to follicle cells induced an arrest of egg chamber development, revealing that M6 is essential in oogenesis. Interestingly, M6-associated phenotypes evidenced abnormal changes of the follicle cell shape and disrupted follicular epithelium in mid- and late-stage egg chambers. Therefore, we propose that M6 plays a role in follicular epithelium maintenance involving membrane cell remodeling during oogenesis in Drosophila.
Insights
The Drosophila M6 gene, essential for oogenesis, is crucial for maintaining follicular epithelium integrity and proper eggshell development. Its downregulation causes female sterility due to egg collapse and permeability.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The proteolipid protein (PLP) family includes transmembrane glycoprotein M6a, known to regulate neurite outgrowth.
- M6 is the sole PLP family member in Drosophila and is orthologous to M6a.
- Previous research indicated M6a's role in neuronal remodeling and differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the Drosophila M6 gene, the ortholog of M6a.
- To understand M6's role in oogenesis and female fertility.
Main Methods:
- Utilized hypomorphic mutants to study M6 downregulation.
- Employed RNAi-mediated knockdown specifically in follicle cells.
- Observed phenotypes related to eggshell integrity and egg chamber development.
Main Results:
- Decreased M6 expression resulted in female sterility.
- M6 downregulation led to egg collapse and increased egg permeability, suggesting a role in eggshell biosynthesis.
- Specific knockdown in follicle cells arrested egg chamber development.
- M6 downregulation caused abnormal follicle cell shape and disrupted follicular epithelium.
Conclusions:
- M6 is essential for oogenesis in Drosophila.
- M6 plays a critical role in maintaining the follicular epithelium.
- M6 is involved in membrane cell remodeling during oogenesis.
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