BmPMFBP1 regulates the development of eupyrene sperm in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010131
• Publication Date: 2022-03-21T17:40:59Z
• Authors: Dehong Yang; Jun Xu; Kai Chen; Yujia Liu; Xu Yang; Linmeng Tang; Xingyu Luo; Zulian Liu; Muwang Li; James R. Walters; Yongping Huang
• Keywords: Male; Mammals; 0301 basic medicine; QH426-470; Moths; Bombyx; Spermatozoa; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Mice; 03 medical and health sciences; Fertility; Genetics; Animals; Female; Spermatogenesis; Research Article

Sperm deliver the male complement of DNA to ovum, and thus play a key role in sexual reproduction. Accordingly, spermatogenesis has outstanding significance fields as disparate infertility treatments pest-control, making it broadly interesting important focus for molecular genetics research wide range species. Here we investigate model lepidopteran insect Bombyx mori (silkworm moth), with particular on gene PMFBP1 (polyamine modulated factor 1 binding protein 1). In humans mouse, is essential spermatogenesis, mutations this are associated acephalic spermatozoa, which cause infertility. We identified B . labeled “PMFBP1” GenBank’s RefSeq database sought assess its spermatogenesis. Like mammals, silkworm version ( BmPMFBP1 ) specifically expressed testes. subsequently generated mutants using transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system. Mutant males were sterile while fertility mutant females was comparable wildtype females. , yields two types sperm, nucleated fertile eupyrene anucleated unfertile apyrene sperm. produced abnormal sperm bundles but normal bundles. For nuclei mislocated disordered inside also found deficiency blocked release from testes ejaculatory seminalis. no obvious abnormalities production males, double-matings apyrene-deficient sex-lethal rescued ΔBmPMFBP1 phenotype. These results indicate functions only highlight that distinct genes underlie development morphs commonly Lepidoptera. Bioinformatic analyses suggest may have evolved independently lepidoptera despite shared name, likely not homologous genes.