Egg multivesicular bodies elicit an LC3-associated phagocytosis-like pathway to degrade paternal mitochondria after

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Sharon Ben-Hur1, Shoshana Sernik1, Sara Afar1

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.

Nature Communications
|July 8, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Egg-derived vesicles eliminate paternal mitochondria after fertilization in Drosophila by activating a cellular defense pathway. This process involves LC3-associated phagocytosis, crucial for degrading sperm mitochondria and ensuring maternal inheritance.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Mitochondria are typically maternally inherited, but the mechanisms for eliminating paternal mitochondria post-fertilization remain largely unknown.
  • Understanding paternal mitochondrial elimination is key to comprehending inheritance patterns and potential reproductive issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which egg cells eliminate paternal mitochondria after fertilization in Drosophila.
  • To identify the cellular pathways and components involved in this critical process.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism.
  • Investigated the role of egg-derived multivesicular body vesicles and LC3-associated phagocytosis.
  • Examined the recruitment of specific proteins like Rubicon and Atg8/LC3 to sperm flagella.

Main Results:

  • Egg-derived vesicles form sheaths around sperm flagella, initiating paternal mitochondrial degradation.
  • The LC3-associated phagocytosis pathway, including Rubicon and Atg8/LC3, is essential for eliminating paternal mitochondria.
  • Lysosomes fuse with these vesicles, degrading paternal mitochondrial fragments.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal mitochondrial elimination in Drosophila is mediated by an LC3-associated phagocytosis-like pathway activated by egg-derived vesicles.
  • This mechanism highlights a conserved cellular defense strategy for managing paternal mitochondria.
  • Findings suggest similar pathways may operate in other organisms with flagellated sperm.

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