Review for "Effects of two seminal fluid transcripts on post‐mating behavior in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm <i>Macrostomum lignano</i>"

AbstractIt is known that the male seminal fluid contains factors that affect female post-mating behavior and physiology. In Drosophila, most of these factors are secreted by the two epithelial cell types that make up the male accessory gland: the main and secondary cells. Although secondary cells represent only 4% of the cells of the accessory gland, their contribution to the male seminal fluid is essential for sustaining the female post-mating response. To better understand the function of the secondary cells, here we investigate their molecular organization, particularly with respect to the intracellular membrane transport machinery. We determined that large vacuole-like structures found in the secondary cells are trafficking hubs labeled by Rab6, 7, 11 and 19. Furthermore, these cell-specific organelles are essential for the long-term post-mating behavior of females and that their formation is directly dependent upon Rab6. Our discovery adds to our understanding of Rab proteins function in secretory cells. We have created an online, open-access imaging resource as a valuable tool for the intracellular membrane and protein traffic community.

Effects of two seminal fluid transcripts on post‐mating behaviour in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano

Journal of Evolutionary Biology ◽

10.1111/jeb.13606 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 714-726 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael Weber ◽

Bahar Patlar ◽

Steven A. Ramm

Keyword(s):

Seminal Fluid ◽

Mating Behaviour ◽

Macrostomum Lignano

Seminal fluid‐mediated fitness effects in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatworm Macrostomum lignano

Ecology and Evolution ◽

10.1002/ece3.5825 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (24) ◽

pp. 13889-13901 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Michael Weber ◽

Athina Giannakara ◽

Steven A. Ramm

Keyword(s):

Seminal Fluid ◽

Fitness Effects ◽

Macrostomum Lignano

Seminal Fluid-Mediated Manipulation of Post-mating Behavior in a Simultaneous Hermaphrodite

Current Biology ◽

10.1016/j.cub.2019.11.018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 143-149.e4 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Bahar Patlar ◽

Michael Weber ◽

Tim Temizyürek ◽

Steven A. Ramm

Keyword(s):

Mating Behavior ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Simultaneous Hermaphrodite

Effects of two seminal fluid proteins on post-mating behavior in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatwormMacrostomum lignano

10.1101/734301 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Michael Weber ◽

Bahar Patlar ◽

Steven A. Ramm

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Sperm Competition ◽

Mating Behavior ◽

Competitive Ability ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Complex Mixture ◽

Mating Frequency ◽

Seminal Fluid Proteins ◽

Knock Down

AbstractAlong with sperm, in many taxa male ejaculates also contain a complex mixture of proteins, peptides and other substances found in seminal fluid. Once seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) are transferred to the mating partner, they play crucial roles in mediating post-mating sexual selection, since they can modulate the partner’s behavior and physiology in ways that influence the reproductive success of both partners. One way in which sperm donors can maximize their own reproductive success is by changing the partners’ (sperm recipient’s) postcopulatory behavior to prevent or delay re-mating, thereby decreasing the likelihood or intensity of sperm competition. We therefore adopted a quantitative genetic approach combining gene expression and behavioral data to identify candidates that could mediate such a response in the simultaneously hermaphroditic flatwormMacrostomum lignano. We identified two putative SFPs - Mlig-pro46 and Mlig-pro63 - that exhibit a negative genetic correlation between transcript expression and mating frequency. Importantly, however, in one of the two different group sizes, differing in their sperm competition level, in which we measured genetic correlations, these same two transcripts are also linked to a second post-mating behavior inM. lignano, namely the ‘suck’ behavior of recipients in which, upon ejaculate receipt, the worm places its pharynx over its female genital opening and appears to attempt to remove ejaculate components. To therefore investigate directly whether these two candidates manipulate partner behavior, and test whether this impacts on competitive fertilization success, we performed a manipulative experiment using RNA interference-induced knockdown to ask how loss of Mlig-pro46 and Mlig-pro63 expression, singly and in combination, affects mating frequency, partner suck propensity and both defensive and offensive sperm competitive ability (P1andP2, respectively). None of the knock-down treatments impacted strongly on mating frequency or sperm competitive ability, but the knock-down of Mlig-pro63 resulted in a significantly decreased ‘suck’ propensity of mating partners. This suggests that Mlig-pro63 may normally act as a cue in the ejaculate to trigger recipient suck behavior, though the functional and adaptive significance of these two seminal proteins from a donor perspective remains enigmatic.

Effects of delaying intromissions on the male rat's mating behavior.

Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology ◽

10.1037/h0028741 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 70 (3, Pt.1) ◽

pp. 413-416 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Ernest HaRd ◽

Knut Larsson

Keyword(s):

Mating Behavior