Recombinant Drosophila persimilis Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit M (Tango7)
Description
Molecular Identity and Function of Tango7
Tango7 (also known as eIF3m) is a subunit of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) complex, which regulates mRNA recruitment to ribosomes. In Drosophila melanogaster, Tango7 also collaborates with the apoptosome (a caspase-activating complex) to drive non-apoptotic cellular remodeling processes, such as spermatid individualization .
Key Functional Domains
Role in Apoptosis and Cellular Remodeling
In Drosophila melanogaster, Tango7 is required for caspase-dependent remodeling of spermatids. Genetic ablation of Tango7 results in:
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Failure of investment cone (IC) migration during sperm individualization .
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Loss of caspase activation, evidenced by reduced cleavage of executioner caspases (e.g., Drice) .
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Male sterility, a phenotype shared with apoptosome mutants (Dronc and Dark) .
Mechanistic Insights
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Tango7 directly binds apoptosome components (Dronc and Dark) and stimulates caspase activity in vitro .
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Localizes to the cystic bulge and waste bag structures in spermatids, colocalizing with active caspases .
Conservation Across Drosophila Species
While Drosophila persimilis-specific studies are absent, comparative genomic analyses of related species (D. pseudoobscura, D. miranda) reveal:
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Recombination rate conservation: Broad-scale recombination patterns are conserved between Drosophila species, suggesting functional conservation of regulatory genes like Tango7 .
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Divergence in fine-scale recombination: Inversions and modifiers alter local recombination rates, but core apoptotic/translational machinery remains conserved .
Unresolved Questions
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Does Drosophila persimilis Tango7 share identical functional domains with D. melanogaster?
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How does recombination rate variation in D. persimilis (compared to D. pseudoobscura) influence the evolution of Tango7?
Proposed Studies
| Approach | Objective |
|---|---|
| CRISPR-Cas9 knockout | Validate Tango7’s role in D. persimilis spermatogenesis. |
| Structural analysis | Resolve 3D interactions between Tango7 and apoptosome components. |
Implications for Evolutionary Biology
The absence of recombination hotspots in Drosophila (unlike mammals) suggests that proteins like Tango7 may evolve under distinct selective pressures. Elevated recombination rates in D. miranda hint at species-specific modifiers, but Tango7’s role in this context remains unexplored .
Product Specs
Target Background
KEGG: dpe:Dper_GL10828
