Sxl-Dependent, tra/tra2-Independent Alternative Splicing of the Drosophila melanogaster X-Linked Gene found in neurons. Issue 12 (1st December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sun, Xia; Yang, Haiwang; Sturgill, David; Oliver, Brian; Rabinow, Leonard; Samson, Marie-Laure
• Is Part Of: G3. Volume 5:Issue 12(2015)
• Page Start: 2865
• Page End: 2874
• Publication Date: 2015-12-01
• Subjects: Sex lethal -- found in neurons -- alternative splicing -- sex-specific regulation; Genetics -- Research -- Periodicals; Genomics -- Periodicals; Genetics; Genomics; Genes; Genetics -- Research; Genomics; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 572.8
• DOI: 10.1534/g3.115.023721
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-1836

Abstract

Abstract: Somatic sexual determination and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster are under the control of a genetic cascade initiated by Sex lethal ( Sxl ). In the female soma, SXL RNA-binding protein regulates the splicing of transformer ( tra ) transcripts into a female-specific form. The RNA-binding protein TRA and its cofactor TRA2 function in concert in females, whereas SXL, TRA, and TRA2 are thought to not function in males. To better understand sex-specific regulation of gene expression, we analyzed male and female head transcriptome datasets for expression levels and splicing, quantifying sex-biased gene expression via RNA-Seq and qPCR. Our data uncouple the effects of Sxl and tra / tra2 in females in the-sex-biased alternative splicing of head transcripts from the X-linked locus found in neurons ( fne ), encoding a pan-neuronal RNA-binding protein of the ELAV family. We show that FNE protein levels are downregulated by Sxl in female heads, also independently of tra/tra2 . We argue that this regulation may have important sexually dimorphic consequences for the regulation of nervous system development or function.