418C Poster - 05. Reproduction and gametogenesis
Saturday April 09, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Authors:
Mark Hiller; Julia Gazzola; Elizabeth Hughes; Rylee McDonell; Katie Shannon; Emily Pochet; Katlyn Heneghan; Gianna Graziano

Affiliation: Goucher College

Keywords:
a. spermatogenesis; j. physiology of adult organs

Sugar is required to provide energy for cellular metabolism and development. The genome of Drosophila melanogaster contains twenty-five genes that are annotated as SLC2 type sugar transporters, and five of the sugar transporters appear to be expressed only in the testis. Lactate transport into male germ cells could also be used as a source of ATP, and one gene, CG12866, encodes a testis specific Monocarboxylate transporter. Likewise, there are several genes that function in glycolysis that have testis specific homologs or testis specific spice forms. Each of these genes could function during the generation the cellular energy necessary for spermatogenesis or be required for sperm function during fertilization. Mutations in the sut3, sut4, and CG14605 putative transporters are fertile. To assess the role of glycolysis and lactate transport, we are using RNAi in the germline and cyst cells of the testis to knockdown function of the lactate transporter and glycolysis genes.