Caspase Activity and a Specific Cytochrome C Are Required for Sperm Differentiation in Drosophila

The final stage of spermatid terminal differentiation involves the removal of their bulk cytoplasm in a process known as spermatid individualization. Here we show that apoptotic proteins play an essential role during spermatid individualization in Drosophila melanogaster. Several aspects of sperm te...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental cell 2003-05, Vol.4 (5), p.687-697
Main Authors: Arama, Eli, Agapite, Julie, Steller, Hermann
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Apoptosis
Caspases - metabolism
Cell Differentiation
Cells, Cultured
Cytochrome c Group - genetics
Cytochrome c Group - metabolism
Drosophila melanogaster - cytology
Drosophila melanogaster - enzymology
Drosophila Proteins - metabolism
Enzyme Activation
Macromolecular Substances
Male
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
Spermatozoa - cytology
Spermatozoa - enzymology
Spermatozoa - metabolism
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Summary:The final stage of spermatid terminal differentiation involves the removal of their bulk cytoplasm in a process known as spermatid individualization. Here we show that apoptotic proteins play an essential role during spermatid individualization in Drosophila melanogaster. Several aspects of sperm terminal differentiation, including the activation of caspases, are reminiscent of apoptosis. Notably, caspase inhibitors prevent the removal of bulk cytoplasm in spermatids and block sperm maturation in vivo, causing male sterility. We further identified loss-of-function mutations in one of the two Drosophila cyt-c genes, cyt-c-d, which block caspase activation and subsequent spermatid terminal differentiation. Finally, a giant ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, dBruce, is required to protect the sperm nucleus against hypercondensation and degeneration. These observations suggest that an apoptosis-like mechanism is required for spermatid differentiation in Drosophila.
ISSN:1534-5807
1878-1551
DOI:10.1016/S1534-5807(03)00120-5