Ammonium transporter expression in sperm of the disease vector Aedes aegypti mosquito influences male fertility.

ABSTRACT: The ammonium transporter (AMT)/methylammonium permease (MEP)/Rhesus glycoprotein (Rh) family of ammonia (NH₃/NH₄ ⁺) transporters has been identified in organisms from all domains of life. In animals, fundamental roles for AMT and Rh proteins in the specific transport of ammonia across biological membranes to mitigate ammonia toxicity and aid in osmoregulation, acid-base balance, and excretion have been well documented. Here, we observed enriched Amt (AeAmt1) mRNA levels within reproductive organs of the arboviral vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti, prompting us to explore the role of AMTs in reproduction. We show that AeAmt1 is localized to sperm flagella during all stages of spermiogenesis and spermatogenesis in male testes. AeAmt1 express

SUBMITTER: Durant AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7703593 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature