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Journal article
Sex-converted testis soma acquires female-specific behaviors and alters XY germline identity
Development, v 152(15), dev204785
Aug 2025
PMID: 40600835
Featured in Collection : Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
Abstract
Establishment and maintenance of cellular sex identity is essential for reproduction. Sex identity of somatic and germline cells must correspond for sperm or oocytes to be produced, with mismatched identity causing infertility in all organisms from flies to humans. In adult Drosophila testes, Chronologically inappropriate morphogenesis (Chinmo) is required for maintenance of male somatic identity. Loss of chinmo leads to feminization of the male soma, including adoption of female-specific cell morphologies and gene expression. However, the degree to which feminized somatic cells engage female-specific cellular behaviors or influence the associated XY germline is unknown. Using extended live imaging, we find that chinmo-depleted somatic cells acquire cell behaviors characteristic of ovarian follicle cells, including incomplete cytokinesis and rotational migration. Importantly, migration in both contexts require the basement membrane protein Perlecan and adhesion protein E-cadherin. Finally, we find that sex- converted soma non-autonomously induce expression of an early oocyte specification protein in XY germ cells. Taken together, our work reveals a dramatic transformation of somatic cell behavior during sex conversion and provides a powerful model to study soma-derived induction of oocyte identity.
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Details
- Title
- Sex-converted testis soma acquires female-specific behaviors and alters XY germline identity
- Creators
- Tiffany Roach - Drexel UniversitySneh Harsh - Drexel UniversityRajiv Sainath - Drexel University, BiologyErika A. Bach - New York University School of MedicineKari F Lenhart (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Biology
- Publication Details
- Development, v 152(15), dev204785
- Publisher
- Company of Biologists
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- National Institute of General Medical Sciences: R01 GM138705, 3R01GM138705-02S1, R01 GM085075 Drexel University
This work was supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01 GM138705 to K.F.L.; 3R01GM138705-02S1 to K.F.L. in support of T.V.R.; R01 GM085075 to E.A.B.) Open Access funding provided by Drexel University. Deposited in PMC for immediate release.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001565861300001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105013156972
- Other Identifier
- 991022058832404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Developmental Biology