{"title":"Male-specific hexokinase functions as a seminal fluid protein to enhance insect fitness","authors":"Yan Zhang, Qinglu Zhang, Weihua Ma, Chao Ma, Guangmei Chen, Xuyuan Gao, Zhenqi Tian, Hongsong Chen, Jingfang Yang, Zhongshi Zhou","doi":"10.1127/entomologia/2023/2129","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"A growing body of evidence has highlighted the vital roles of male-specific seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) in animal sexual selection and reproduction. SFPs were proved to function as central mediators of reproductive fitness by interacting with female-derived molecules to modulate pivotal reproductive processes such as sperm competition, female receptivity, ovulation, and oogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of SFPs remain unclear. The present study reports on the hexokinase (hk) family of genes, specifically two members (hk1 and hk2), in the Ophraella communa genome. While hk1 was expressed in multiple tissues and did not affect fecundity, hk2 was specifically expressed in male testes and functioned as a novel and conserved SFP to enhance fertility. Furthermore, HK2 activated the expression of an Apolipophorin-like (Ap-like) gene, which is essential for beetle reproduction. The Ap-like gene activated the expression of triacylglycerol lipase (TGL), resulting in a change in the triglyceride content, which consequently affected fertility. These findings highlight a novel role of an animal HK family in SFP function. Moreover, the newly identified HK/Ap-like/TGL pathway provides new insights for future research on the SFP evolution theory.","PeriodicalId":11728,"journal":{"name":"Entomologia Generalis","volume":"3 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.6000,"publicationDate":"2023-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Entomologia Generalis","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1127/entomologia/2023/2129","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENTOMOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has highlighted the vital roles of male-specific seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) in animal sexual selection and reproduction. SFPs were proved to function as central mediators of reproductive fitness by interacting with female-derived molecules to modulate pivotal reproductive processes such as sperm competition, female receptivity, ovulation, and oogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms of SFPs remain unclear. The present study reports on the hexokinase (hk) family of genes, specifically two members (hk1 and hk2), in the Ophraella communa genome. While hk1 was expressed in multiple tissues and did not affect fecundity, hk2 was specifically expressed in male testes and functioned as a novel and conserved SFP to enhance fertility. Furthermore, HK2 activated the expression of an Apolipophorin-like (Ap-like) gene, which is essential for beetle reproduction. The Ap-like gene activated the expression of triacylglycerol lipase (TGL), resulting in a change in the triglyceride content, which consequently affected fertility. These findings highlight a novel role of an animal HK family in SFP function. Moreover, the newly identified HK/Ap-like/TGL pathway provides new insights for future research on the SFP evolution theory.
期刊介绍:
Its scope covers all aspects of basic and applied research dealing with insects and more broadly with arthropods inhabiting wild, agricultural and/or urban habitats. The journal also considers research integrating various disciplines and issues within the broad field of entomology and ecology.
Entomologia Generalis publishes high quality research articles on advances in knowledge on the ecology and biology of arthropods, as well as on their importance for key ecosystems services, e.g. as biological control and pollination. The journal devotes special attention to contributions providing significant advances (i) on the fundamental knowledge and on sustainable control strategies of arthropod pests (including of stored products) and vectors of diseases, (ii) on the biology and ecology of beneficial arthropods, (iii) on the spread and impact of invasive pests, and (iv) on potential side effects of pest management methods.
Entomologia Generalis welcomes review articles on significant developments in the field of entomology. These are usually invited by the editorial board, but proposals may be sent to the Editor-in-Chief for preliminary assessment by the editorial board before formal submission to the journal. The journal also considers comments on papers published in Entomologia Generalis, as well as short notes on topics that are of broader interest.