SPSL1 is essential for spermatophore formation and sperm activation in Spodoptera frugiperda
Lansa Qian,
Xu Yang,
Xiaomiao Xu
et al.
Abstract:The reproductive process in various species has undergone evolutionary adaptations at both the physiological and molecular levels, playing a significant role in maintaining their populations. In lepidopteran insects, the spermatophore is a unique structure formed in the female reproductive system, in which sperm storage and activation take place. It is known that the formation of the spermatophore is regulated by seminal fluid proteins derived from males. However, studies investigating the genetic mechanisms b… Show more
“…When considered with the observation that spermatostyles persist in the FRT for a prolonged period of time following sperm dissociation ( Breland & Simmons, 1970 ; Gustafson & Miller, 2017 ; R. A. G. and S. P., personal observation), these results are also consistent with the general hypothesis that spermatostyles are involved in other postmating functions ( Pitnick et al, 2020 ). It is noteworthy that the enrichment in proteolytic pathways in spermatostyles mirrors similar enrichments in both SFPs and FRT secretions in other insects ( McCullough et al, 2022 ; McDonough-Goldstein et al, 2021 ; Meslin et al, 2017 ; Plakke et al, 2019 ; Qian et al, 2023 ; Rogers et al, 2009 ).…”
Seminal fluid protein composition is complex and commonly assumed to be rapidly divergent due to functional interactions with both sperm and the female reproductive tract (FRT), both of which evolve rapidly. In addition to sperm, seminal fluid may contain structures, such as mating plugs and spermatophores. Here, we investigate the evolutionary diversification of a lesser‐known ejaculate structure: the spermatostyle, which has independently arisen in several families of beetles and true bugs. We characterized the spermatostyle proteome, in addition to spermatostyle and FRT morphology, in six species of whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae). Spermatostyles were enriched for proteolytic enzymes, and assays confirmed they possess proteolytic activity. Sperm‐leucylaminopeptidases (S‐LAPs) were particularly abundant, and their localization to spermatostyles was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Although there was evidence for functional conservation of spermatostyle proteomes across species, phylogenetic regressions suggest evolutionary covariation between protein composition and the morphology of both spermatostyles and FRTs. We postulate that S‐LAPs (and other proteases) have evolved a novel structural role in spermatostyles and discuss spermatostyles as adaptations for delivering male‐derived materials to females.
“…When considered with the observation that spermatostyles persist in the FRT for a prolonged period of time following sperm dissociation ( Breland & Simmons, 1970 ; Gustafson & Miller, 2017 ; R. A. G. and S. P., personal observation), these results are also consistent with the general hypothesis that spermatostyles are involved in other postmating functions ( Pitnick et al, 2020 ). It is noteworthy that the enrichment in proteolytic pathways in spermatostyles mirrors similar enrichments in both SFPs and FRT secretions in other insects ( McCullough et al, 2022 ; McDonough-Goldstein et al, 2021 ; Meslin et al, 2017 ; Plakke et al, 2019 ; Qian et al, 2023 ; Rogers et al, 2009 ).…”
Seminal fluid protein composition is complex and commonly assumed to be rapidly divergent due to functional interactions with both sperm and the female reproductive tract (FRT), both of which evolve rapidly. In addition to sperm, seminal fluid may contain structures, such as mating plugs and spermatophores. Here, we investigate the evolutionary diversification of a lesser‐known ejaculate structure: the spermatostyle, which has independently arisen in several families of beetles and true bugs. We characterized the spermatostyle proteome, in addition to spermatostyle and FRT morphology, in six species of whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae). Spermatostyles were enriched for proteolytic enzymes, and assays confirmed they possess proteolytic activity. Sperm‐leucylaminopeptidases (S‐LAPs) were particularly abundant, and their localization to spermatostyles was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Although there was evidence for functional conservation of spermatostyle proteomes across species, phylogenetic regressions suggest evolutionary covariation between protein composition and the morphology of both spermatostyles and FRTs. We postulate that S‐LAPs (and other proteases) have evolved a novel structural role in spermatostyles and discuss spermatostyles as adaptations for delivering male‐derived materials to females.
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