Drosophila sperm swim backwards in the female reproductive tract and are activated via TRPP2 ion channels.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sperm have but one purpose, to fertilize an egg. In various species including Drosophila melanogaster female sperm storage is a necessary step in the reproductive process. Amo is a homolog of the human transient receptor potential channel TRPP2 (also known as PKD2), which is mutated in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. In flies Amo is required for sperm storage. Drosophila males with Amo mutations produce motile sperm that are transferred to the uterus but they do not reach the female storage organs. Therefore Amo appears to be a mediator of directed sperm motility in the female reproductive tract but the underlying mechanism is unknown.

Methodology/principal findings

Amo exhibits a unique expression pattern during spermatogenesis. In spermatocytes, Am

SUBMITTER: Kottgen M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3098850 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature