Imp (IGF-II mRNA-binding protein) is expressed  during spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.
Drosophila spermatogenesis results in the production of sixty‑four ~2-mm spermatozoa from an individual founder cell. Little is known, however, about the elongation of spermatids to such an extraordinary length. In a partial screen of a GFP-tagged protein trap collection, four insertions were uncovered that exhibit expression toward the tail ends of spermatid cysts and within the apical tip of the testis, suggesting that these protein traps may represent genes involved in spermatid elongation and pre-meiotic spermatogenesis, respectively. Inverse PCR followed by cycle sequencing and BLAST revealed that all four protein traps represent insertions within Imp (IGF-IImRNA binding protein), a known translational regulator. Testis enhancer trap analysis also reveals Imp expression in the cells of the apical tip, suggesting transcription of Imp prior to the primary spermatocyte stage. Taken together, these results suggest a role for Imp in the male germline during both spermatid elongation and premeiotic spermatogenesis.
Fabrizio
James J
JJ
Biology Department, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Bronx, New York 10471, USA. James.Fabrizio@mountsaintvincent.edu
Hickey
Christina A
CA
Stabrawa
Cecylia
C
Meytes
Vadim
V
Hutter
Jessica A
JA
Talbert
Caitlin
C
Regis
Nadine
N
D000818:Animals; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D008297:Male; D013087:Spermatids / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics*