Masculinizer gene controls male sex determination in the codling moth, Cydia pomonella
Language English Country England, Great Britain Media print-electronic
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
37536576
DOI
10.1016/j.ibmb.2023.103991
PII: S0965-1748(23)00085-1
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- Keywords
- Alternative splicing, Cydia pomonella, Lepidoptera, Masculinizer, Maternal provision of mRNA, Quantitative real-time PCR, RNA interference, Sex determination,
- MeSH
- Bombyx * genetics MeSH
- Dosage Compensation, Genetic MeSH
- RNA, Messenger genetics MeSH
- Butterflies * genetics MeSH
- Moths * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- RNA, Messenger MeSH
The molecular mechanisms of sex determination in moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera) with female heterogamety (WZ/ZZ) are poorly understood, except in the silkworm Bombyx mori. However, the Masculinizer (Masc) gene that controls male development and dosage compensation in B. mori, appears to be conserved in Lepidoptera, as its masculinizing function was recently confirmed in several moth species. In this work, we investigated the role of the Masc gene in sex determination of the codling moth Cydia pomonella (Tortricidae), a globally important pest of pome fruits and walnuts. The gene structure of the C. pomonella Masc ortholog, CpMasc, is similar to B. mori Masc. However, unlike B. mori, we identified 14 splice variants of CpMasc in the available transcriptomes. Subsequent screening for sex specificity and genetic variation using publicly available data and RT-PCR revealed three male-specific splice variants. Then qPCR analysis of these variants revealed sex-biased expression showing a peak only in early male embryos. Knockdown of CpMasc by RNAi during early embryogenesis resulted in a shift from male-to female-specific splicing of the C. pomonella doublesex (Cpdsx) gene, its downstream effector, in ZZ embryos, leading to a strongly female-biased sex ratio. These data clearly demonstrate that CpMasc functions as a masculinizing gene in the sex-determining cascade of C. pomonella. Our study also showed that CpMasc transcripts are provided maternally, as they were detected in unfertilized eggs after oviposition and in mature eggs dissected from virgin females. This finding is unique, as maternal provision of mRNA has rarely been studied in Lepidoptera.
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