Evolution of Mechanisms that Control Mating in Drosophila Males

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Cell Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2019.04.104· OSTI ID:1547178

Ahmed, Osama M.; Avila-Herrera, Aram; Tun, Khin May; Serpa, Paula H.; Peng, Justin; Parthasarathy, Srinivas; Knapp, Jon-Michael; Stern, David L.; Davis, Graeme W.; Pollard, Katherine S.; Shah, Nirao M.

Genetically wired neural mechanisms inhibit mating between species because even naive animals rarely mate with other species. These mechanisms can evolve through changes in expression or function of key genes in sensory pathways or central circuits. Gr32a is a gustatory chemoreceptor that, in D. melanogaster, is essential to inhibit interspecies courtship and sense quinine. Similar to D. melanogaster, we find that D. simulans Gr32a is expressed in foreleg tarsi, sensorimotor appendages that inhibit interspecies courtship, and it is required to sense quinine. Nevertheless, Gr32a is not required to inhibit interspecies mating by D. simulans males. However, and similar to its function in D. melanogaster, Ppk25, a member of the Pickpocket family, promotes conspecific courtship in D. simulans. Together, we have identified distinct evolutionary mechanisms underlying chemosensory control of taste and courtship in closely related Drosophila species.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); National Science Foundation (NSF); National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344; R35NS097212
• OSTI ID: 1547178
• Alternate ID(s): OSTI ID: 1548381
• Report Number(s): LLNL-JRNL-737144; S2211124719305844; PII: S2211124719305844
• Journal Information: Cell Reports, Journal Name: Cell Reports Vol. 27 Journal Issue: 9; ISSN 2211-1247
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: Netherlands
• Language: English

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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES