Control of seminal fluid protein expression via regulatory hubs in Drosophila melanogaster

Mohorianu, Irina, Fowler, Emily K., Dalmay, Tamas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1492-5429 and Chapman, Tracey (2018) Control of seminal fluid protein expression via regulatory hubs in Drosophila melanogaster. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 285. ISSN 0962-8452

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Abstract

Highly precise, yet flexible and responsive coordination of expression across groups of genes underpins the integrity of many vital functions. However, our understanding of gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is often hampered by the lack of experimentally tractable systems, by significant computational challenges derived from the large number of genes involved or from difficulties in the accurate identification and characterization of gene interactions. Here we used a tractable experimental system in which to study GRNs: the genes encoding the seminal fluid proteins that are transferred along with sperm (the ‘transferome’) in Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies. The products of transferome genes are core determinants of reproductive success and, to date, only transcription factors have been implicated in the modulation of their expression. Hence, as yet, we know nothing about the post-transcriptional mechanisms underlying the tight, responsive and precise regulation of this important gene set. We investigated this omission in the current study. We first used bioinformatics to identify potential regulatory motifs that linked the transferome genes in a putative interaction network. This predicted the presence of putative microRNA (miRNA) ‘hubs’. We then tested this prediction, that post-transcriptional regulation is important for the control of transferome genes, by knocking down miRNA expression in adult males. This abolished the ability of males to respond adaptively to the threat of sexual competition, indicating a regulatory role for miRNAs in the regulation of transferome function. Further bioinformatics analysis then identified candidate miRNAs as putative regulatory hubs and evidence for variation in the strength of miRNA regulation across the transferome gene set. The results revealed regulatory mechanisms that can underpin robust, precise and flexible regulation of multiple fitness-related genes. They also help to explain how males can adaptively modulate ejaculate composition.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	gene regulatory network,regulatory hub,microrna (mirna),sexual conflict
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences Faculty of Science > School of Computing Sciences
UEA Research Groups:	Faculty of Science > Research Centres > Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Organisms and the Environment Faculty of Science > Research Groups > Plant Sciences
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	26 Sep 2018 15:30
Last Modified:	12 May 2023 16:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/68367
DOI:	10.1098/rspb.2018.1681

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