Tudor-domain containing protein 5-like promotes male sexual identity in the Drosophila germline and is repressed in females by Sex lethal

ABSTRACT: Like humans, all sexually reproducing organisms require gametes to reproduce. Gametes are made by specialized cells called germ cells, which must have the correct sexual identity information to properly make sperm or eggs. In fruit flies, germ cell sexual identity is controlled by the RNA-binding protein Sxl, which is expressed only in females. To better understand how Sxl promotes female identity, we conducted an RNA expression profiling experiment to identify genes whose expression changes in response to the loss of Sxl from germ cells. Here, we identify Tudor domain containing protein 5-like (Tdrd5l), which is expressed 17-fold higher in ovaries lacking Sxl compared to control ovaries. Additionally, Tdrd5l plays an important role in males as male flies that are mutant for this gene cannot make sperm properly and thus are less fertile. Moreover, we find that Tdrd5l promotes male identity in the germline, as several experiments show that it can shift the germ cell developmental program from female to male. This study tells us that Sxl promotes female identity in germ cells by repressing genes, like Tdrd5l, that promote male identity. Future studies into the function of Tdrd5l will provide mechanistic insight into how this gene promotes male identity

ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster

PROVIDER: GSE198369 | GEO | 2022/03/13

REPOSITORIES: GEO