CONTENT OF CYTOSKELETAL PROTEINS, mRNA OF ASSOCIATED GENES AND POST-TRANSLATIONAL HISTONE MODIFICATIONS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER OVARIES IN THE CONDITION OF SIMULATED MICROGRAVITY

Abstract

Mechanism of the microgravity-induced changes in the cytoskeleton, reproductive system cells in particular, is still poorly known. We measured the relative content of cytoskeleton proteins and mRNAs in associated genes, levels of lysines 4 and 9 methylation, and lysines 9 and 27 acetylation in histone H3 in ovaries of 5-day Drosophila melanogaster after rotation in a random positioning machine with the aim to investigate the effects of microgravity on the course of hametogenesis. After the exposure in simulated microgravity, β-actin and α-tubulin in fly ovaries were found increased as compared to the control; content of associated mRNAs did not change. There was an increase in the relative content of histone H3 modifications, and also increases in both lysines 9 and 27 acetylation and lysines 4 and 9 methylation. These data shed light on the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression and development of an adaptive pattern of the reproductive system cell structure in the condition of microgravity.