courtless, the Drosophila UBC7 Homolog, Is Involved in Male Courtship Behavior and Spermatogenesis

Abstract The courtless (col) mutation disrupts early steps of courtship behavior in Drosophila males, as well as the development of their sperm. Most of the homozygous col/col males (78%) do not court at all. Only 5% perform the entire ritual and copulate, yet these matings produce no progeny. The col gene maps to polytene chromosome band 47D. It encodes two proteins that differ in their carboxy termini and are the Drosophila homologs of the yeast ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBC7. The col mutation is caused by an insertion of a P element into the 3′ UTR of the gene, which probably disrupts translational regulatory elements. As a consequence, the homozygous mutants exhibit a six- to sevenfold increase in the level of the COL protein. The col product is essential, and deletions that remove the col gene are lethal. During embryonic development col is expressed primarily in the CNS. Our results implicate the ubiquitin-mediated system in the development and function of the nervous system and in meiosis during spermatogenesis.

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The PSI–U1 snRNP interaction regulates male mating behavior in Drosophila

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1600936113 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 113 (19) ◽

pp. 5269-5274 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Qingqing Wang ◽

J. Matthew Taliaferro ◽

Ugne Klibaite ◽

Valérie Hilgers ◽

Joshua W. Shaevitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Mating Behavior ◽

Courtship Behavior ◽

Mrna Splicing ◽

Male Mating ◽

Male Courtship ◽

Control Male ◽

Male Mating Behavior ◽

U1 Snrnp ◽

Male Courtship Behavior

Alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS) is a critical regulatory mechanism that operates extensively in the nervous system to produce diverse protein isoforms. Fruitless AS isoforms have been shown to influence male courtship behavior, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Using genome-wide approaches and quantitative behavioral assays, we show that the P-element somatic inhibitor (PSI) and its interaction with the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex (snRNP) control male courtship behavior. PSI mutants lacking the U1 snRNP-interacting domain (PSIΔAB mutant) exhibit extended but futile mating attempts. The PSIΔAB mutant results in significant changes in the AS patterns of ∼1,200 genes in the Drosophila brain, many of which have been implicated in the regulation of male courtship behavior. PSI directly regulates the AS of at least one-third of these transcripts, suggesting that PSI–U1 snRNP interactions coordinate the behavioral network underlying courtship behavior. Importantly, one of these direct targets is fruitless, the master regulator of courtship. Thus, PSI imposes a specific mode of regulatory control within the neuronal circuit controlling courtship, even though it is broadly expressed in the fly nervous system. This study reinforces the importance of AS in the control of gene activity in neurons and integrated neuronal circuits, and provides a surprising link between a pleiotropic pre-mRNA splicing pathway and the precise control of successful male mating behavior.

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Impact of Molinate Exposure on Male Courtship Behavior and Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Zebrafish, Danio rerio

Journal of North Carolina Academy of Science ◽

10.7572/2167-5872-131.2.29 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 131 (2) ◽

pp. 29-35

Author(s):

Shannon L. Sullivan ◽

Stephen J. Salek ◽

Shirley L. Chao

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Danio Rerio ◽

Courtship Behavior ◽

Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽

Control Fish ◽

Compensatory Mechanism ◽

Spawning Behavior ◽

Male Courtship ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Male Courtship Behavior

Abstract Molinate, a thiocarbamate herbicide, is used to control broad-leaf and grassy weeds. Studies have shown that molinate alters a range of animal behaviors to produce the following symptoms following exposure: lethargy, erratic swimming, and tremors. Fish, in particular, showed variability in sensitivity to molinate. Possible mechanism of action in such observed behavior is alteration in the cholinergic nervous system responsible for messenger transmission in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. The current study examined the possible disruption of spawning behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio) following molinate exposure. Findings indicate that while various forms of spawning behavior were not altered significantly in fish exposed to molinate, a significant difference was observed in the total number of eggs produced; control fish produced approximately twice as many eggs compared to molinate-treated fish. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of acetylcholinesterase activity were observed in male fish, indicating a compensatory mechanism following toxic insult. In conclusion, while molinate does not appear to impact male courtship behavior in zebrafish, the pesticide does appear to alter acetylcholinesterase activity in males, suggesting disruption of the nervous system in males.

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