Authors: Houda Ouns Maaroufi 1,2; Lucie Pauchova 1,2; Yu-Hsien Lin 1,2; Lucie Kucerova 1; Ligia Cota Vieirra 1; Lenka Rouhova 1,2; Bulah Wu 1,2; Hanna Sehadova 1,2; Michal Zurovec 1,2
Affiliations: 1) Biology Centre CAS, Institute of Entomology, Czech Republic; 2) Faculty of science, University of South Bohemia, Zoology department, Czech Republic
Keywords: a. spermatogenesis; b. metabolism
Nucleoside transporters are essential mediators for nutrient transmission and energy metabolism. Although there have been intensive studies on nucleoside transporters and their biochemical function, no study has investigated the physiological role of concentrative nucleoside transporters (cnts). In this study, we use Drosophila melanogaster to explore the role of cnt1. We generated a mutation in the cnt1 gene. Our results show partial male sterility. Electron microscopy revealed abnormalities in the sperm tail and mitochondrial defects. In addition, we observed high ATP levels in the male testes. We therefore hypothesise that these phenotypes result in altered sperm motility. These results support the hypothesis that energy balance is required for full maturation of spermatids.