A Novel Function for the Hox Gene Abd-B in the Male Accessory Gland Regulates the Long-Term Female Post-Mating Response in Drosophila

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003395
• Publication Date: 2013-03-28T21:01:53Z
• Authors: Dragan Gligorov; Jessica L. Sitnik; Robert K. Maeda; Mariana F. Wolfner; François Karch
• Keywords: Antennapedia

In insects, products of the male reproductive tract are essential for initiating and maintaining female post-mating response (PMR). The PMR includes changes in egg laying, receptivity to courting males, sperm storage. Drosophila, previous studies have determined that main cells accessory gland produce some required these processes. However, nothing was known about contribution gland's other secretory cell type, secondary cells. course investigating late functions homeotic gene, Abdominal-B (Abd-B), we discovered Abd-B is specifically expressed Drosophila gland. Using an BAC reporter coupled with a collection genetic deletions, enhancer from iab-6 regulatory domain responsible expression apparently works independently segmentally regulated chromatin domains bithorax complex. Removal this results visible morphological defects We mates mutant males show long-term laying suppression receptivity, influential during competition. Many phenotypes seem be caused by defect storage gradual release sex peptide males. also found contributes glycosylation at least three proteins: ovulin (Acp26Aa), CG1656, CG1652. Our demonstrate observed mated females not solely induced secretions, as previously believed, but play important role fertility extending PMR. Overall, discoveries provide new insights into how two types cooperate maintain robust