Identification of a micropeptide and multiple secondary cell genes that modulate <i>Drosophila</i> male reproductive success
Clément Immarigeon, Yohan Frei, Sofie Delbare, Dragan Gligorov, Pedro Machado Almeida, Jasmine R Grey, Léa Fabbro, Emi Nagoshi, Jean‐Christophe Billeter, Mariana F. Wolfner, François Karch, Robert K. Maeda
Abstract
Significance In many species, mating induces physiological changes in the female that increase the reproductive success of the mating pair. The postmating response (PMR) is caused by male seminal fluid proteins interacting with the female reproductive system. Because of the importance of the PMR in many insect species relevant to human health and agriculture, we examined the gene expression profile of one important cell type of the gland that produces most of the seminal fluid proteins in Drosophila. Interestingly, among proteins necessary for the PMR in this species, we discovered that a micropeptide encoded by a supposedly noncoding transcript is produced and carries out important reproductive functions. Such micropeptides were previously unrecognized but are emerging as important actors in complex biological processes.