Gap junctions mediate discrete regulatory steps during fly spermatogenesis

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010417
• Publication Date: 2022-09-29T19:31:20Z
• Authors: Yanina-Yasmin Pesch; Vivien Dang; Michael John Fair...; Fayeza Islam; Darius Camp; Priya Kaur; Christopher M. Sm...; Anat Messenberg; Rosalyn Carr; Ciaran R. McFarlane; Pierre-Yves Musso; Filip Van Petegem; Guy Tanentzapf
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; [SDV]Life Sciences [q-bio]; Gap Junctions; QH426-470; Connexins; 03 medical and health sciences; Germ Cells; Semen; Genetics; Animals; Spermatogenesis; Research Article

Gametogenesis requires coordinated signaling between germ cells and somatic cells. We previously showed that Gap junction (GJ)-mediated soma-germline communication is essential for fly spermatogenesis. Specifically, the GJ protein Innexin4/Zero population growth (Zpg) necessary germline stem cell maintenance differentiation. It remains unknown how GJ-mediated signals regulate spermatogenesis or whether function of these restricted to earliest stages Here we carried out comprehensive structure/function analysis Zpg using insights obtained from structure innexins design mutations aimed at selectively perturbing different regulatory regions as well channel pore Zpg. identify roles various sites in assembly GJs plasma membrane. Moreover, designed disrupt, based on size charge, passage cargos through pore, blocked Mutations were identified progressed early soma development, but exhibited defects entry meiosis sperm individualisation, resulting reduced fertility sterility. Our work shows specific pass transition gametogenesis.