The <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> Y-linked gene, <i>WDY</i>, is required for sperm to swim in the female reproductive tract.

ABSTRACT: Unique patterns of inheritance and selection on Y chromosomes lead to the evolution of specialized gene functions. Yet characterizing the function of genes on Y chromosomes is notoriously difficult. We report CRISPR mutants in Drosophila of the Y-linked gene, WDY, which is required for male fertility. WDY mutants produce mature sperm with beating tails that can be transferred to females but fail to enter the female sperm storage organs. We demonstrate that the sperm tails of WDY mutants beat approximately half as fast as wild-type sperm's and that the mutant sperm do not propel themselves within the male ejaculatory duct or female reproductive tract (RT). These specific motility defects likely cause the sperm storage defect and sterility of the mutants. Regional and ge

SUBMITTER: Hafezi Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9915733 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature