Dataset Information

Identification of novel ejaculated seminal fluid proteins in a seed beetle and division of labour across male accessory reproductive glands

ABSTRACT: The male ejaculate contains a multitude of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs), many of which are key reproductive molecules. However, the identification of SFPs is notoriously difficult and a detailed understanding of this complex phenotype has only been achieved in a few model species. We employed a recently developed proteomic method involving whole-organism stable isotopeic labelling coupled with proteomic and transcriptomic analyses which allowed us to successfully characterize male SFPs in the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus. We identified 317 proteins that were transferred to females at mating, and a great majority of these showed signals of secretion and were significantly male-biased in expression in the abdomen. Male SFPs were enriched with proteins involved in general metabolic and catabolic processes but also with proteolytic enzymes and proteins involved in protection against oxidative stress. Thirty-seven proteins showed significant homology with SFPs previously identified in other insects. However, no less than 92 C. maculatus SFPs were entirely novel, receiving no significant blast hits and lacking homologs in extant data bases, consistent with a rapid and divergent evolution of SFPs. In a second effort, we used 3D micro-tomography in conjunction with proteomic methods to identify 5 distinct pairs of male accessory reproductive glands and to show that certain male SFPs are only produced in certain male glands. We suggest that this division of labour may allow males to tailor ejaculate composition. Finally, we provide a tentative list of 231 candidate female-derived reproductive proteins, some of which are likely important in ejaculate processing and/or sperm storage.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Callosobruchus Maculatus

TISSUE(S): Testis, Female Reproductive System, Accessory Sex Gland, Male Reproductive System

SUBMITTER: Helen Bayram

LAB HEAD: Goran Arnqvist

PROVIDER: PXD009967 | Pride | 2025-06-28

REPOSITORIES: Pride

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Identification of novel ejaculate proteins in a seed beetle and division of labour across male accessory reproductive glands.

Bayram Helen H Sayadi Ahmed A Immonen Elina E Arnqvist Göran G

Insect biochemistry and molecular biology 20181207

The male ejaculate contains a multitude of seminal fluid proteins (SFPs), many of which are key reproductive molecules, as well as sperm. However, the identification of SFPs is notoriously difficult and a detailed understanding of this complex phenotype has only been achieved in a few model species. We employed a recently developed proteomic method involving whole-organism stable isotope labelling coupled with proteomic and transcriptomic analyses to characterize ejaculate proteins in the seed b ...[more]

PMID: 30529580

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Project description:Globally invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes disseminate numerous arboviruses that impact human health. One promising method to control Ae. aegypti populations is transinfection with the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia pipientis, a symbiont that naturally infects ~40-52% of insects but is normally absent from Ae. aegypti. Transinfection of Ae. aegypti with the wMel Wolbachia strain induces cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI), allowing infected individuals to rapidly invade native populations. Further, wMel Wolbachia-infected females display refractoriness to medically relevant arboviruses. Thus, wMel Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti are being released in several areas to replace native populations, thereby suppressing disease transmission by this species. Wolbachia is reported to have minimal effects on Ae. aegypti fertility, but its influence on other reproductive processes is unknown. Female insects undergo several post-mating physiological and behavioral changes required for optimal fertility. Post-mating responses (PMRs) in female insects are typically elicited by receipt of male seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) transferred with sperm during mating, but can be modified by other factors, such as adult age, nutritional status, and microbiome composition. To assess how Wolbachia infection influences Ae. aegypti female PMRs, we collected wMel Wolbachia-infected Ae. aegypti from the field in Medellín, Colombia and introduced the bacterium into our laboratory strain. We found that Wolbachia influences female fecundity, fertility, and re-mating incidence. Further, we observed that Wolbachia significantly extends longevity of virgin females. Changes in female PMRs are not due to defects in sperm transfer by infected males, or sperm storage by infected females. Using proteomic methods to examine the seminal proteome of infected males, we found that Wolbachia infection has a moderate effect on SFP composition. However, we identified 125 Wolbachia proteins that are paternally transferred to females by infected males. Surprisingly, the CI factor proteins (Cifs), were not detected in the ejaculates of Wolbachia-infected males. Our findings indicate that Wolbachia infection of Ae. aegypti alters female post-mating responses, potentially influencing control programs that utilize Wolbachia-infected individuals.

			Action	DRS
	AllModSpotEjac_0.99length_82397.fasta	Fasta
	MS-15-051c-19.mgf	Mgf
	MS-15-051c-19.mgf.cui	Mgf
	MS-15-051c-19.raw	Raw
	MS-15-051c-20.mgf	Mgf