Altered heterochromatin binding by a hybrid sterility protein in Drosophila sibling species.
Hybrid sterility of the heterogametic sex is one of the first postzygotic reproductive barriers to evolve during speciation, yet the molecular basis of hybrid sterility is poorly understood. We show that the hybrid male sterility gene Odysseus-site homeobox (OdsH) encodes a protein that localizes to evolutionarily dynamic loci within heterochromatin and leads to their decondensation. In Drosophila mauritiana x Drosophila simulans male hybrids, OdsH from D. mauritiana (OdsHmau) acts as a sterilizing factor by associating with the heterochromatic Y chromosome of D. simulans, whereas D. simulans OdsH (OdsHsim) does not. Characterization of sterile hybrid testes revealed that OdsH abundance and localization in the premeiotic phases of spermatogenesis differ between species. These results reveal that rapid heterochromatin evolution affects the onset of hybrid sterility.
Bayes
Joshua J
JJ
Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98185, USA.
Malik
Harmit S
HS
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004276:DNA, Satellite / Q000378:metabolism*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D016195:G2 Phase; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D006570:Heterochromatin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013090:Spermatocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013737:Testis / Q000378:metabolism; D014960:X Chromosome / Q000378:metabolism; D014998:Y Chromosome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
D004276:DNA, Satellite; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006570:Heterochromatin; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C115884:OdsH protein, Drosophila; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins