Females translate male mRNA transferred during mating.
iScience
; 27(8): 110442, 2024 Aug 16.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39108707
ABSTRACT
Although RNA is found in the seminal fluid of diverse organisms, it is unknown whether it is functional within females. We developed a proteomic method (VESPA, Variant Enabled SILAC Proteomic Analysis) to test the hypothesis that Drosophila male seminal fluid RNA is translated by females. We found 67 male-derived, female-translated proteins (mdFTPs) in female lower reproductive tracts, many with predicted functions relevant to reproduction. Knockout experiments indicate that mdFTPs play diverse roles in postmating interactions, affecting fertilization success, and the formation/persistence of the insemination reaction mass, a trait hypothesized to be involved in sexual conflict. These findings advance our understanding of reproduction by revealing a mechanism of postmating molecular interactions between the sexes that strengthens and extends male influences on reproduction in previously unrecognized ways. Given the diverse species that carry RNA in seminal fluid, this discovery has broad significance for understanding molecular mechanisms of cooperation and conflict during reproduction.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
IScience
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos