slowmo is required for Drosophila germline proliferation

Null mutations in the Drosophila gene, slowmo (slmo), result in reduced mobility and lethality in first‐instar larvae. Slowmo encodes a mitochondrial protein of unknown function, as do the two other homologs found in Drosophila. Here, we have studied a hypomorphic P‐element allele of slmo demonstrat...

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Published in:Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000) N.Y. : 2000), 2007-02, Vol.45 (2), p.66-75
Main Authors: Reeve, Simon, Carhan, Ahmet, Dee, Chris T., Moffat, Kevin G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
CGI-107
Drosophila
Drosophila Proteins - genetics
Drosophila Proteins - physiology
Female
germline
Homozygote
Infertility - genetics
Male
Oogenesis - genetics
Ovary - cytology
PRELI
slowmo
spermatogenesis
Spermatogenesis - genetics
stem cell
stem cell niche
Testis - cytology
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Summary:Null mutations in the Drosophila gene, slowmo (slmo), result in reduced mobility and lethality in first‐instar larvae. Slowmo encodes a mitochondrial protein of unknown function, as do the two other homologs found in Drosophila. Here, we have studied a hypomorphic P‐element allele of slmo demonstrating its effects on germline divisions in both testes and ovaries. Using in situ studies, enhancer‐trap activity, and promoter fusions, we have shown that slmo expression in testes is found in the somatic cyst cells (SCC). The hypomorphic allele for Slmo revealed apoptotic loss of germline cells in the larval germline, culminating in a complete absence of the germline in adult flies. In females, a similar degeneration of the germarium is observed, while reporter gene expression is found in both germline and somatic cells. Using a null mutation in female germline clones, we find slmo is dispensable from the germline cells. Our results suggest that Slowmo is not required in germline cells directly, but is required in SCCs responsible for maintaining germline survival in both sexes. genesis 45:66–75, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ISSN:1526-954X
1526-968X
DOI:10.1002/dvg.20265