Maternal Spargel/dPGC-1 is critical for embryonic development and influences chorion gene amplification via Cyclin E activity

The function of spargel/dPGC-1 in Drosophila oogenesis has been unequivocally established. Here, we sought to assess whether Spargel protein or RNA is essential for developmentally competent eggs. The trans-heterozygotic combination of two spargel mutant alleles allowed us to decrease Spargel expression to very low levels. Using this model, we now demonstrated the requirement for Spargel in eggshell patterning and embryonic development, which led us to establish that spargel is a maternal effect gene. Further examination of Spargel's potential mechanism of action in eggshell biogenesis revealed that low levels of Spargel in the adult ovary cause diminished Cyclin E activity, resulting in reduced chorion gene amplification levels, leading to eggshell biogenesis defects. Thus, another novel role for spargel/dPGC-1 is exposed whereby, through Cyclin E activity, this conserved transcriptional coactivator regulates the chorion gene amplification process.