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First published online 29 August 2007
doi: 10.1242/dev.004770

Development 134, 3517-3525 (2007)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2007
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The testis-specific proteasome subunit Pros{alpha}6T of D. melanogaster is required for individualization and nuclear maturation during spermatogenesis

Lei Zhong and John M. Belote*

Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 130 College Place, Syracuse, NY 13244, USA.

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: jbelote{at}syr.edu)

Accepted 22 July 2007

Most regulated proteolysis in eukaryotes is carried out by the 26S proteasome. This large, multisubunit complex comprises a catalytic core particle (20S proteasome) and a regulatory particle (19S regulator) capping each end. In Drosophila, about a third of the 32 proteasome subunits are found to have testis-specific isoforms, encoded by paralogous genes. Here, we characterize in detail the spermatogenic expression of the core particle subunit Pros{alpha}6 (Pros35) and its testis-specific isoform Pros{alpha}6T. Using GFP-tagged transgenes, it is shown that whereas the Pros{alpha}6 subunit is expressed in early stages of spermatogenesis, gradually fading away following meiosis, the testis-specific Pros{alpha}6T becomes prominent in spermatid nuclei and cytoplasm after meiosis, and persists in mature sperm. In addition, these subunits are found in numerous `speckles' near individualization complexes, similar to the previously described expression pattern of the caspase Dronc (Nedd2-like caspase), suggesting a link to the apoptosis pathway. We also studied the phenotypes of a loss-of-function mutant of Pros{alpha}6T generated by targeted homologous recombination. Homozygous males are sterile and show spermatogenic defects in sperm individualization and nuclear maturation, consistent with the expression pattern of Pros{alpha}6T. The results demonstrate a functional role of testis-specific proteasomes during Drosophila spermatogenesis.

Key words: Apoptosis, Individualization, Proteasome, Spermatogenesis




This article has been cited by other articles:


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[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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