Female membrane proteins regulate postmating ovulation in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> by ovulin-dependent and -independent pathways.

ABSTRACT: Ovulation is an intricate process that is essential for reproductive success. In Drosophila melanogaster, ovulation increases after mating. This increase is initiated by the male seminal fluid protein ovulin and is executed by female pathways, including octopamine (OA) neuronal signaling. Despite OA signaling's central role in ovulation regulation, the broader molecular landscape underlying female control of ovulation remains poorly understood. Here, using ovulin as a probe, we performed evolutionary rate covariation and AlphaFold-Multimer prediction screens to identify candidate female ovulation-regulating proteins. Ovulation assays performed on knockdowns or mutants of identified membrane-protein candidates revealed seven important female ovulation regulators: Lgr3, GabaβR1, SIFaR

SUBMITTER: Yang M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12452909 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature