Evidence of capacitation in the parasitoid wasp, Nasonia vitripennis, and its potential role in sex allocation. Issue 14 (1st June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jones, Alun R. C.; Mallon, Eamonn B.
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 10:Issue 14(2020)
• Page Start: 7212
• Page End: 7220
• Publication Date: 2020-06-01
• Subjects: alternative splicing -- sex allocation -- sperm motility -- transcriptomics; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: The allocation of resources to the production of one sex or another has been observed in a large variety of animals. Its theoretical basis allows accurate predictions of offspring sex ratios in many species, but the mechanisms by which sex allocation is controlled are poorly understood. Using previously published data, we investigated whether alternative splicing, combined with differential gene expression, was involved with sex allocation in the parasitoid wasp, Nasonia vitripennis . We found that sex allocation is not controlled by alternative splicing but changes in gene and transcript‐specific expression, which were identified to be involved with oviposition, were shown to be similar to those involved in sperm motility and capacitation. Genes involved in cholesterol efflux, a key component of capacitation, along with calcium transport, neurotransmission, trypsin, and MAPKinase activity were regulated in ovipositing wasps. The results show evidence for regulation of sperm motility and of capacitation in an insect which, in the context of the physiology of the N. vitripennis spermatheca, could be important for sex allocation. Abstract : Sex allocation in Nasonia vitripennis is not determined by alternative splicing. However, differential isoform expression and gene expression show evidence of capacitation in Nasonia .