The role of Drosophila Merlin in spermatogenesis

Background

Drosophila Merlin, the homolog of the human Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) gene, is important for the regulation of cell proliferation and receptor endocytosis. Male flies carrying a Mer³ allele, a missense mutation (Met¹⁷⁷→Ile) in the Merlin gene, are viable but sterile; however, the cause of sterility is unknown.

Results

Testis examination reveals that hemizygous Mer³ mutant males have small seminal vesicles that contain only a few immotile sperm. By cytological and electron microscopy analyses of the Mer³, Mer⁴ (Gln¹⁷⁰→stop), and control testes at various stages of spermatogenesis, we show that Merlin mutations affect meiotic cytokinesis of spermatocytes, cyst polarization and nuclear shaping during spermatid elongation, and spermatid individualization. We also demonstrate that the lethality and sterility phenotype of the Mer⁴ mutant is rescued by the introduction of a wild-type Merlin gene. Immunostaining demonstrates that the Merlin protein is redistributed to the area associated with the microtubules of the central spindle in telophase and its staining is less in the region of the contractile ring during meiotic cytokinesis. At the onion stage, Merlin is concentrated in the Nebenkern of spermatids, and this mitochondrial localization is maintained throughout sperm formation. Also, Merlin exhibits punctate staining in the acrosomal region of mature sperm.

Conclusion

Merlin mutations affect spermatogenesis at multiple stages. The Merlin protein is dynamically redistributed during meiosis of spermatocytes and is concentrated in the Nebenkern of spermatids. Our results demonstrated for the first time the mitochondrial localization of Merlin and suggest that Merlin may play a role in mitochondria formation and function during spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is a model that facilitates studies of the effect of gene mutations on mitosis, meiosis and the remodeling of many cell structures. During spermatogenesis, primordial germ cells undergo an oriented mitotic division to replace themselves and to produce spermatogonia (reviewed in [1, 2]). Each spermatogonium undergoes four rounds of mitotic division, generating 16 spermatogonia that subsequently differentiate into spermatocytes within a cyst. Since the cytokinesis of mitotic divisions is incomplete, the spermatogonia are connected by ring channels. Then, all 16 spermatocytes go through two rounds of meiotic divisions, resulting in a cyst of 64 haploid, round-shaped spermatids. The meiotic cytokinesis is also incomplete so that the spermatids remain interconnected.

During the coalescence stage in early spermatids, the mitochondria aggregate to the side of the nucleus, where the centriole resides [2]. By the onion stage of spermatid differentiation, a dramatic transformation of the mitochondrial mass occurs. The individual mitochondria fuse into two giant mitochondria, which are arranged in a densely-packed sphere consisting of many layers of wrapped mitochondrial membranes [1]. This onion-like structure is termed the Nebenkern.

At the elongation stage, the flagellar axoneme elongates, resulting in a dramatic change in the shape of the spermatid [1]. The two interlocked subunits of the Nebenkern unfold and extend along with the growing axoneme. Despite the structural changes of the two mitochondrial derivatives, both mitochondrial subunits remain aligned and associated with axoneme. As spermatids begin to elongate, their heads, containing nuclei, remain aligned toward the testis wall and their tails are turned aside toward the testicular apex. Simultaneously, the cyst slides down along the testis wall, changing its shape from a disc-like structure to a bundle of elongating spermatids with the nuclear regions of spermatids polarized toward the base of the testis [3]. Following the flagellar elongation, the spermatid nucleus transforms its shape from a spherical structure to a long, thin needle. Subsequently, the process of individualization is initiated by the formation of the individualization complex (IC), containing the actin cones at the head region of the spermatid bundle [4]. Individualization occurs in a cystic bulge, progressing along the entire length of the spermatid bundle. During individualization, membrane remodeling takes place, the channels connecting spermatids are destroyed, and syncytial organization of a cyst is lost [5]. Following coiling of the sperm bundle, mature sperm are released into the testis lumen and then pass into the seminal vesicle.

Although the spermatogenesis process has been well defined, only a limited number of genes whose mutations affect this process has been described, and the role of their protein products are mostly unknown. Mer³, a mutation (Met¹⁷⁷→Ile) in the gene encoding Drosophila Merlin, whose ortholog in human is named the Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) gene [6, 7], leads to male sterility [8]. Male flies with a Mer³ allele are viable but sterile; however, the cause of sterility is unknown.

Merlin shares a high degree of homology to the ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) proteins, which belong to the protein 4.1 superfamily, linking the actin cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane [9]. Interaction of the ERM proteins with the actin cytoskeleton is thought to be important for the determination of the cell-shape, cell adhesion, cell motility, cytokinesis, and intracellular signaling [10, 11]. In addition to its interaction with the actin cytoskeleton, Merlin can bind to microtubules and regulate the microtubule cytoskeleton [12, 13]. Studies in mammalian cells show that Merlin mediates contact inhibition of proliferation [14]. Merlin inactivation leads to tumor formation in several cell types in mammals [15].

Merlin is evolutionally conserved [16]. The Merlin homolog in Drosophila melanogaster shows extensive sequence homology to the human protein [17]. This similarity between the fly and human Merlin proteins extends over the entire amino acid sequences with the greatest similarity in the amino terminus of the FERM domain (F for protein 4.1) [9, 16–18]. The homology between the fly and human Merlin proteins also exists in the carboxyl terminus, a region in which Merlin diverges from the ERM-family members [10, 16].

The Drosophila Merlin gene (D-Mer) is located at the 18D-E region of the X chromosome. D-Mer has been shown to regulate cell proliferation and survival through the Hippo signaling pathway [8, 19–23]. In addition, Merlin promotes endocytosis of several membrane signaling receptors [24, 25]. Furthermore, D-Mer is non-autonomously required to maintain polarity of posterior follicle cells in the oocyte and to limit their proliferation [26].

To better understand the cause of sterility in Merlin mutant flies, we carried out an extensive analysis of cellular events in spermatogenesis. We showed that the Merlin protein was concentrated in the mitochondrial derivatives, and that Merlin mutations affected meiosis, cyst polarization, nuclear shaping, and axoneme-Nebenkern association.

The sterility phenotype in Merlin mutants is rescued by the introduction of a wild-type Merlin gene

The Mer³ allele carries a missense mutation (Met¹⁷⁷→Ile), and male flies hemizygous for Mer³ are viable but sterile [8]. Upon examination of the testis, we noted that seminal vesicles from the Mer³ males were smaller than those from the control FM6 flies (compare Figure 1B with Figure 1A). In addition, very few sperm were found in the Mer³ seminal vesicles, and they were immotile, in contrast to those seen in the control FM6 siblings obtained from the same cross. Acetic acid/orcein staining showed that the Mer³ testis had fewer sperm heads in each bundle than the control testis (compare Figure 1D with Figure 1C). Also, the sperm in the bundle were arranged in a more disorganized fashion.

Morphological examination of the testis tissues from young wild-type (panels A and C) and Mer³ (panels B and D) males. The control FM6 and Mer³ mutant males were obtained according to Materials and Methods. The DAPI-stained testis from the control male contained a bulging seminal vesicle (SV) (A). In contrast, a shriveled seminal vesicle was seen in the Mer³ testis (B). T, testis; AG, accessory gland. Acetic acid/orcein staining revealed that the testis tissue from the control male contained well-organized sperm bundles (arrows) (C), while the Mer³ testis had fewer sperm in a more disorganized bundle (arrows) (D).

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Previously, LaJeunesse et al. [8] demonstrated that ectopic expression of a Mer⁺ or Mer³ transgene using a ubiquitously-expressed Gal4 driver (T80-Gal4) in a Mer⁴ (Gln¹⁷⁰→stop) background rescued Mer⁴ lethality. In addition, insertion of a cosmid construct (P{cosMer⁺}), carrying the entire D-Mer gene, was capable of rescuing various Mer mutations. We conducted a similar experiment to test whether a Mer⁺ transgene could rescue the sterility of the Mer⁴ allele. Table 1 shows that males carrying both Mer⁴ and P{cosMer⁺} were viable and fertile. To ensure germline expression of the Mer⁺ or Mer³transgene, we cloned the Mer⁺ and Mer³ sequences into the pUASP vector, and used them to transform embryos. We showed that both pUASP-Mer⁺ and pUASP-Mer³ could rescue the lethality of Mer⁴ mutation when ectopically activated by the Act5C-Gal4 driver (Table 1). However, only Mer⁺ over-expression restored the fertility of flies with the Mer⁴ mutation.

The Merlin protein is dynamically redistributed during meiosis of spermatocytes and is concentrated in the Nebenkern of spermatids

To understand the cause of sterility in the Merlin mutant flies, we studied the subcellular localization of the Merlin protein in the control FM6 and Mer³ testes at various stages of spermatogenesis. In the cysts from the control testis, Merlin expression was detected in the cellular cortex of spermatocytes (Figure 2A), as seen in somatic tissues and earlier germ cells [17]. This cortical localization became more pronounced in spermatocytes during prometaphase and metaphase of meiosis (Figures 2B and 2C). Merlin was found to redistribute, and more intense staining was observed in the area associated with the microtubules of the central spindle in telophase (Figure 2D). During cytokinesis, intense Merlin staining remained associated with the microtubules but the intensity was less in the region of the contractile ring (Figure 2E). A similar Merlin distribution pattern was seen during the second meiotic division (data not shown). At the onion stage, Merlin was concentrated in the Nebenkern, a specialized structure formed by the fusion of mitochondria during spermatid differentiation (Figure 2F). This intense Merlin staining in the Nebenkern remained throughout the comet stage of spermatid elongation, during which the Nebenkern split into two parts (Figure 2G). Note that concentrated Merlin immunoreactivity was clearly seen in the two subunits of the Nebenkern in the spermatid (insert in Figure 2G). In the control cyst containing mature sperm, Merlin staining continued to be present in the elongated Nebenkern (Figure 2H). In addition, Merlin was seen as a bright punctate dot in the acrosomal region, a Golgi apparatus-derived structure developed over the anterior part of the sperm's head. We also performed a similar immunostaining on the Mer³ testis. Although we could detect Merlin staining in the Mer³ cyst at the comet stage, the Mer³ spermatid nuclei were scattered throughout the cyst, and the arrangement of spermatids appeared irregular (Figure 2I). The ability of the antibody to detect Merlin staining in the Mer³ cyst suggests that the missense mutation in Mer³ did not affect antibody recognition. Using the same antibody, LaJeunesse [8] previously detected a similar cortical localization of Merlin in both the wild-type and Mer³ imaginal discs. However, the Mer³ mutation clearly affects Merlin function as the spermatids in the Mer³ cyst were poorly arranged.

Intracellular distribution of the Merlin protein at various stages of spermatogenesis. In the control cyst, Merlin was detected in the cellular cortex of spermatocytes (A). In prometaphase (B) and metaphase (C) of meiosis, the cortical localization of Merlin became more evident. In telophase (D), Merlin redistributed and accumulated in the area associated with the microtubules of the central spindle. During cytokinesis (E), Merlin staining remained associated with the microtubules but was less intense in the region of the contractile ring. In the onion-stage spermatids (F), Merlin was highly concentrated in the Nebenkern. This localization pattern was maintained through the comet stage of spermatid elongation (G). The insert in panel G shows intense Merlin staining in the two subunits of Nebenkern in spermatids. In the control cyst, containing mature sperm, bright Merlin staining was also seen as a punctate dot in the acrosomal region (H). Merlin staining was still detected in the Mer³ cyst at the comet stage; however, sperm nuclei were scattered throughout the cyst, and the arrangement of spermatids was irregular (I).

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Merlin mutations affect meiotic cytokinesis of spermatocytes, cyst polarization and nuclear shaping during spermatid elongation, and spermatid individualization

Next, we examined if there were any abnormalities during early steps of spermatogenesis in the Mer³ testis. We dissected testes from both the control and Mer³ mutant flies. Following staining with acetic acid/orcein, the testes were squashed and examined according to Ashburner [27]. Although we did not find any abnormalities during mitosis of spermatogonia or spermatocyte growth, we observed three types of abnormalities during meiosis of spermatocytes from the Mer³ testis, as compared with the control testis. The first type of abnormality is shown in Figure 3A, demonstrating a spermatid containing two nuclei of equal size and two Nebenkerns. This type of abnormality was likely caused by cytokinesis failure during the second meiotic division. The second type of abnormality is tripolar spindle in a spermatocyte going through the second meiotic division (Figure 3B). This result suggests incomplete cytokinesis in the previous meiotic division. The third type of abnormality is four-polar spindle in a spermatocyte undergoing the second meiotic division (Figures 3C–E). Note that a secondary Mer³ spermatocyte contained two pairs of telophase nuclei (Figure 3D). Each pair of nuclei was situated with its own spindle, and two spindles shared a common mid zone (Figure 3C and 3E). This is in contrast with wild-type spermatocytes in telophase showing two daughter nuclei separate from each other along the central spindle (Figure 3F). The four-polar spindle represents another case of abnormal cytokinesis in the first meiotic division. It should be mentioned that we detected the first type of abnormality in about 5% of the mutant cysts, while the second and third types of abnormalities appeared less frequent.

Abnormalities observed during meiosis of Mer³ spermatocytes: a spermatid containing two nuclei of equal size (arrows) and two Nebenkerns (A), tripolar spindle in a spermatocyte going through the second meiotic division (B), and four-polar spindle in a spermatocyte undergoing the second meiotic division (C-E). Panel C shows the phase contrast image, panel D the DAPI-stained nuclei, and panel E the merged image. Arrow points to the central spindle midzone [29]. For comparison, wild-type meiotic cells in telophase were shown (F).

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Following meiosis, spermatid elongation ensues [1]. Prior to spermatid elongation, spermatid nuclei group at a defined area of the cyst wall in a process referred to as cyst polarization [3]. We noted that, at this stage, spermatid nuclei were detected as a group in the control cyst (Figure 4A). Intriguingly, spermatid nuclei in the Mer³ cyst were grouped in two locations (Figure 4B–E), and in some other cysts, nuclei appeared more scattered (Figure 4C–E). We also found a similar abnormality in nuclear grouping in the Mer⁴ cyst. Although Mer⁴ is larva-lethal [19], we isolated some rare hemizygous Mer⁴ male pupae from the y Mer⁴/Binsn stock, and a few of them were able to grow to pharates adults. When examining testis preparations from these Mer⁴ males, we detected spermatid nuclei arranged in two groups (Figures 4F and 4G) or in a scattered manner in all of the mutant cysts (Figure 4H). Also, the cyst polarization defects were more frequently seen in Mer⁴ (about 90%) than Mer³ (about 50%) cysts. These results indicate that Merlin mutations affect cyst polarization.

Difference in nuclear grouping during cyst polarization between the control and Merlin mutant spermatids. Dissected testes from the control FM6 (A), Mer³ (B-E), and Mer⁴ (F-H) males were stained with DAPI and examined as described before. Note that while the spermatid nuclei were grouped in one area (arrow) of the control cyst (A), the spermatid nuclei in the Mer³ (B-E) and Mer⁴ (F-G) cysts were seen as two diffuse groups (arrows). In some cases, the spermatid nuclei were scattered in the mutant cyst (H). Panel C shows a phase-contrast image of a Mer³ cyst, panel D displays the same cyst stained with DAPI, and panel E represents a merged image. The cyst shown in panels F and G was obtained from a male carrying the Mer⁴ mutation and a GFP marker as described in Materials and Methods.

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The final stage of spermatogenesis is the process of individualization, followed by sperm coiling [1, 2]. The individualization process is initiated at the head of the spermatid cyst, and involves the formation and movement of the actin cones from the head region of the spermatid bundle to the caudal end [4]. Analogous to the previous finding, we detected the actin cones, which moved caudally as a bundle in the control cyst (Figures 5A–D). Note that the sperm heads were grouped in one end of the control cyst, consistent to that seen at the cyst polarization stage (Figures 5B and 5D). Also, the sperm heads became needle-shaped. However, we observed that the sperm nuclei in the Mer³ cyst appeared scattered (Figure 5E–H) and had variable morphology; some were round, while others were needle shape (Figure 5I). Unlike the control cyst, the Mer³ cyst had the actin cones located at multiple sites (Figure 5G). Dispersed actin cones together with scattered nuclei were also found in the Mer⁴ cyst (data not shown).

Spermatid individualization in the control (A-D) and Mer³ (E-I) cysts. Panels A and E illustrate the phase-contrast view of a control or Mer³ cyst, respectively. Panels B and F show the location of the DAPI-stained sperm nuclei. Panels C and G display the sites (arrowheads) and orientation of the actin cones as visualized by FITC-conjugated phalloidin staining. Panels D and H represent merged images. Panel I is an enlarged view of the rectangular area denoted in panel F.

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Merlin mutant cysts display abnormalities in Nebenkern-axoneme association

Since we detected intense Merlin staining in the Nebenkern at the onion stage, we employed electron microscopy to further examine Nebenkern transformation from the structure containing two mitochondrial derivatives at the late stage of spermatid elongation into a configuration filled by electron dense material, called the paracrystalline body, at the end of the individualization stage [4]. Thin sections of testes from the control FM6, Mer³, and Mer⁴ males were analyzed under a transmission electron microscope. As shown in Figure 6A, we observed that at the late elongation stage, each spermatid in the control cyst contained one major and one minor mitochondrial derivative associated with one axoneme. A paracrystalline body could be seen within the major mitochondrial derivative. However, we found that some of the spermatids in the Mer³ cyst contained two paracrystalline bodies within the major mitochondrial derivative (Figure 6B). Also, some spermatids had two axonemes. Similarly, two paracrystalline bodies within the major mitochondrial derivative were frequently seen in the elongating spermatids of the Mer⁴ cyst (Figure 6C). It should be mentioned that, unlike the spermatids in the control cyst, which displayed cell-cell contact, the spermatids in the Mer³ cyst were loosely arranged (Figures 6B), and those in the Mer⁴ cyst were grossly disorganized (Figure 6C). In addition, some cytoplasmic shedding was present in the Mer³ cysts (Figure 6B), and excessive amount of cytoplasmic fragments was seen in the Mer⁴ cyst (Figure 6C).

Ultrastructural analysis of the control and Merlin mutant cysts during the elongation and individualization stages. (A-C) Sections of the cysts from the control FM6 (A), Mer³ (B), or Mer⁴ (C) testis at the elongation stage. (A) A dark paracrystalline body was seen within the major mitochondrial derivative in the control spermatid. Bar = 2 μm. (B) Some of the spermatids in the Mer³ cyst contained two paracrystalline bodies (filled arrowhead points to one example). Also, some spermatids had two axonemes (open arrowhead). Bar = 0.5 μm. (C) Two paracrystalline bodies within the major mitochondrial derivative were frequently seen in the elongating spermatids of the Mer⁴ cyst. Bar = 0.5 μm. (D-F) Cysts from the control FM6 (D), Mer³ (E), or Mer⁴ (F) testis at the individualization stage. (D) The association of axoneme with the mitochondrial derivatives was seen in the spermatids of the control cyst. Bar = 2 μm. (E) Spermatids in the Mer³ cyst might contain two abnormally-shaped (filled arrowhead) or three (arrow) paracrystalline bodies together with one axoneme, or have two paracrystalline-filled Nebenkerns but without the axoneme (open arrowhead). Bar = 0.5 μm. (F) Spermatids with multiple Nebenkerns with (open arrowhead) or without (filled arrowhead) axonemes together with cytoplasmic fragmentation were seen in the Mer⁴ cyst. Bar = 0.5 μm. (G-I) Cysts from the control FM6 (G), Mer³ (H), or Mer⁴ (I) testis at the late stage of individualization. (G) Individualized spermatids in the control cyst displayed a highly-ordered axoneme-Nebenkern pair. Bar = 0.5 μm. (H) The spermatids in the Mer³ cyst were poorly arranged and some of them appeared to be fused together. Bar = 0.5 μm. (I) The Mer⁴ cyst showed a complete destruction of spermatid individualization, resulting in empty spermatids with or without axoneme or Nebenkern. Insert illustrates the structure of axoneme appeared to be intact. Bar = 1 μm. Bar in the insert = 0.2 μm.

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At the individualization stage, each of the 64 spermatids in the control cyst contained one axoneme associated with the major and minor mitochondrial derivatives (Figure 6D). Furthermore, the paracrystalline body almost filled the entire major mitochondrial derivative. While some spermatids in the Mer³ cyst at a similar developmental stage had a paracrystalline body-filled major mitochondrial derivative with axoneme, others containing two paracrystalline body-filled mitochondrial derivatives with abnormal shape or three paracrystalline body-filled mitochondrial derivatives together with one axoneme were also seen (Figure 6E). In addition, spermatids having one or two paracrystalline-filled mitochondrial derivatives but lacking axoneme were observed. Also, the spermatids remained loosely contacted with each other in the Mer³ cyst. The paired arrangement of axoneme with the mitochondrial derivatives was often lost in the spermatids of the Mer⁴ cyst at the individualization stage (Figure 6F). Spermatids with multiple paracrystalline body-filled mitochondrial derivatives but without axoneme, or with two axonemes, were found. Also, cytoplasmic fragmentation together with condensed cytoplasmic remnants and gigantic cytoplasmic bodies were also seen in the Mer⁴ cyst.

Consistent with previous observations [1, 2, 4], we noted that mature spermatids in the control cyst had a substantial reduction in the amount of cytoplasm and a significant reduction in the size of the minor mitochondrial derivative at the end of the individualization stage. The major mitochondrial derivative is filled by a dark-staining paracrystalline material (Figure 6G). Each of the 64 individualized spermatids in the control cyst displayed a highly ordered axoneme-Nebenkern pair. In contrast, a gross disorganization in the arrangement of the individualized spermatids in the Mer³ cyst was detected (Figure 6H). Although some spermatids exhibited the axoneme-Nebenkern pair, others appeared to be fused together or connected by a thin cytoplasmic extension. In addition, the boundary between the cysts was not evident, and each cystic area contained less than 64 spermatids. The most dramatic alteration was observed in the Mer⁴ cyst (Figure 6I). Although axoneme and Nebenkern could be found, very little cytoplasmic material was seen, and the cell-cell boundary could not be easily identified. Insert in Figure 6I illustrates that the structure of axoneme appeared to be intact. Despite this dramatic alteration, the 9+2 microtubule-containing structure of axoneme appeared to be preserved in the Merlin mutant cysts, indicating that Merlin is not required for axoneme formation and elongation.

Taken together, our results show that Merlin mutations affect cytokinesis, cyst polarization, nuclear shaping, and spermatid individualization. The observation that Merlin is highly concentrated in the Nebenkern suggests that Merlin may pay a role in mitochondria formation and function during various stages of spermatogenesis.

Spermatogenesis is a complicated developmental process, including mitosis, meiosis, cell shape changes, and remodeling of subcellular organelles from the nucleus to mitochondria [1, 2]. All of these events appear to involve cytoskeleton reorganization. Merlin has been shown to interact with the actin cytoskeleton and participate in the regulation of cell proliferation, cell adhesion, cell motility, and intracellular signaling [10, 11, 15]. Merlin can also interact with microtubules and regulate microtubule cytoskeleton [12, 13]. In addition, an interaction between Merlin and the myosin heavy chain has been reported [28]. Consistent with findings that Merlin interacts with key components of the cytoskeleton, our results showed that Merlin mutations affected meiotic cytokinesis, cyst polarization, nuclear shaping, and spermatid individualization during spermatogenesis. We also showed that the sterility phenotype of hemizygous male Merlin mutants could be rescued by the introduction of a wild-type Merlin gene.

The first abnormality that we found in the Merlin mutants during spermatogenesis is cytokinesis failure during meiosis of spermatocytes. Cytokinesis is the process of dividing the cytoplasm and separating two daughter cells. It involves the formation of a contractile ring and the central spindle, two interdependent structures that cooperatively interact throughout the process [29]. The Drosophila contractile ring is comprised of actin, non-muscle myosin II, the regulatory light chain of myosin II, and anillin. Intriguingly, we observed that the Merlin expression pattern was closely associated with the microtubules of the spindle during cytokinesis. Given the fact that Merlin interacts with microtubule, actin, and myosin heavy chain, it is possible that Merlin may be involved in the assembly of the spindle and membrane addition. Further colocalization analysis will be needed to better understand the role of Merlin in this meiotic process.

Studies in mammalian cells indicate that Merlin functions both as a growth and tumor suppressor [15]. In Drosophila, tumor suppressors often regulate cell proliferation in a tissue-specific manner [30]. Two genes previously reported to have tumor suppressor property in the male gonad are bam and bcgn. Mutations in these genes result in a large number of cells resembling those in early germline stages [30]. Mosaic analysis in the eye tissue has revealed that Merlin mutant clones over-proliferate relative to normal sister clones; however, no tumors were found in the homozygous Merlin mutant tissue [8]. This result indicates that Merlin mutations belong to the class of overgrowth mutations. Upon careful examination of the Mer³ and Mer⁴ testis tissues, we also did not find any tumors.

Cyst polarization involves nuclear migration to a defined area of the cyst wall [3]. Although specific details about cyst polarization are not understood, it is envisaged that nuclear migration requires the participation of the actin cytoskeleton. Since Merlin interacts and modulates the actin cytoskeleton and other cytoskeletal apparatus, Merlin mutations could affect nuclear migration and lead to spermatid nuclei in two disorganized groups or more scattered in the mutant cysts as we have observed. Alternatively, the presence of Merlin in the Nebenkern suggests that Merlin may play a role in cyst polarization through Nebenkern. Nevertheless, Merlin represents the first gene whose mutation affects cyst polarization in spermatogenesis. Previously, in a genetic screen for genes functioning in embryonic axis specification, MacDougall et al. [26] found that gurken (grk) mRNA localization is altered in Mer mutant embryos. Normally, Grk signal instructs about 200 follicle cells to adopt a posterior fate. In turn, the posterior follicle cells send a polarizing signal back to the oocyte. Consequently, it induces the reorganization of oocyte microtubules, determining the localization of different mRNA and oocyte nuclear migration in the oocyte. Despite a broad expression pattern of Merlin in the egg chamber [17], Merlin appears to be specifically required non-autonomously only in a small group of follicular cells to maintain the polarity of posterior follicle cells and to limit their proliferation [26]. This finding is consistent with our data showing Merlin also has a role in cyst polarization during the spermatid pre-elongation period.

It should be mentioned that Merlin mutations also affect nuclear shaping during spermatid elongation as we observed a few spermatids with a round but not needle-shaped head in the mutant cysts. Recent studies [31–33] have suggested a possible contribution of acrosome to nuclear shaping because defective acrosome development leads to round-headed sperm in mice. The biogenesis of the acrosome, a derivative of the Golgi complex important for sperm-egg penetration, requires the formation of the transient microtubule-containing manchette caudally to the acrosome [34]. In addition, the assembly of an F-actin-containing cytoskeletal plate, called acroplaxome, serves as an anchor for the developing acrosome to the nuclear envelope [35]. Given the well-established relationship between Merlin and the actin filament or microtubule, Merlin mutations may affect any of the cytoskeleton-mediated structures required for acrosome formation. It is interesting to note that we have detected intense Merlin staining in the acrosomal region, suggesting a possible role of Merlin in this organelle.

Actin is a major cytoskeletal component of the IC, and individualization is accomplished by the assembly of the cytoskeletal-membrane complex at the nuclear end of the cyst [1, 4]. Our results showing scattered nuclei and dispersed actin cones found in the Merlin mutant cysts are consistent with the idea that spermatid nuclei provide a physical scaffolding for the assembly of the IC. Intriguingly, several Drosophila mutants with scattered nuclei, including Chc⁴ (Clathrin heavy chain), scat¹ (scattered), cbx⁰⁵⁷⁰⁴ (crossbronx), EcR⁰⁶⁴¹⁰ (Ecdysone Receptor), also display the dispersed IC phenotype [4]. The gene Clathrin heavy chain has been shown to participate in a number of biological processes, including receptor-mediated endocytosis, neurotransmitter secretion, and sperm individualization. The gene scattered is involved in Golgi-to-vacuole transport, retrograde transport from endosome to Golgi, and spermatid individualization. The gene crossbronx, encoding a ubiquitin-protein ligase, is important for the ubiquitin cycle and spermatid individualization. The gene Ecdysone Receptor, whose protein product responds to hormone stimuli, is essential for embryonic development and organogenesis, including spermatid development. Curiously, Merlin has been shown to promote endocytosis of several signaling receptors [24, 25]. However, how this set of genes is connected to the individualization process remains to be determined.

Spermatid individualization involves membrane remodeling and the outcome of this process is endowing each spermatid with its own plasma membrane and simultaneously removing most of the syncytial cytoplasm from between sperm tails as it proceeds [33, 36]. At present, we do not know how Merlin mutations lead to excessive cytoplasmic remnants and poorly organized spermatids at the end of individualization. Although Merlin may have a role in membrane remodeling as previously suggested, it is possible that spermatogenesis is such an orchestrated process that perturbation in each stage results in specific abnormalities, which could subsequently affect the following events.

Merlin has been shown to localize underneath the plasma membrane at cell-cell junctions and other actin-rich sites [10, 11]. The detection of a high concentration of Merlin protein in the Nebenkern at the onion stage and its maintenance throughout mature sperm formation imply a unique role of Merlin in mitochondria formation and function. The presence of two or multiple paracrystalline bodies in the major mitochondrial derivative of Merlin mutant spermatids could result from Merlin dysfunction, leading to such an abnormal Nebenkern structure. A similar abnormality has also been observed in the mutants defective in the gene fuzzy onion (fzo), encoding a GTPase [37] or rotund (rn), coding for a Rac GTPase activating protein [38]). However, it is not known whether Merlin function links to these signaling molecules in regulating Nebenkern formation. One fundamental function that mitochondria provide is the production of ATP, which serves as an energy source. The Nebenkern structure is pivotal to sperm motility. Although rare sperm could still be found in the Mer³ testis, it is likely that without normal Merlin function, sperm motility is impaired.

It should be mentioned that Merlin is not the only growth suppressor whose loss results in male sterility. Like Merlin, the Tumor Suppressor for Lung Cancer 1 (TSLC1) protein, an immunoglobulin superfamily molecule predominantly expressed in the brain, lung and testis, plays important roles in cell adhesion and tumor invasion in mammals [39]. Interestingly, TSLC1-deficient mice also produce round spermatids and are sterile. Thus, it will be important to see whether Merlin deficiency in the testis has any effect on the fertility of mice.

Drosophila Merlin mutant flies are viable but sterile, and the sterility phenotype is rescued by the introduction of a wild-type Merlin gene. Merlin mutations affect meiotic cytokinesis of spermatocytes, cyst polarization and nuclear shaping during spermatid elongation, and spermatid individualization. The Merlin protein is enriched in the Nebenkern and this mitochondrial localization is maintained throughout sperm formation. These results suggest a role of Merlin in mitochondria formation and function during various stages of spermatogenesis. Further investigation of the action of Merlin in mitochondria is warranted.

Fly stocks

Flies were maintained at 25°C in standard cornmeal yeast-agar medium. Various Merlin mutant strains were generously provided by Rick G. Fehon at University of Chicago, Chicago, IL [40]. Hemizygous Mer³ males were taken from the strain w Mer³P{ry [+t7.2] = neoFRT}19A/FM6, y B. The FM6, y B siblings and the y w males from the stock y w Pim 19A-FRT/TM6, Tb (abbreviated here as Pim) were used as controls. The strain y w Mer⁴P{ry [+t7.2] = neoFRT}19A/FM7i, P{w [+mC] = ActGFP}JMR3 was used as a source of Mer⁴ mutant individuals. The w sn³l (1)18D Eb³ P{ry [+t7.2] = neoFRT}19A; P{w [+mC] = cosMer⁺}3/+ strain with an insertion of a genomic fragment containing the entire Mer gene was also used. Transgenic strains carrying the pUAST-MycMer⁺ or pUAST-MycMer³ constructs have been described previously [8]. The strain, containing an insertion of a transposable element carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP) tag inserted into the CG8351 gene, was kindly provided by Alain Debec of Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Observatoire Océanologique, Villefranche-sur-mer, France. This strain allowed labeling the cytoplasm of all cells uniformly during spermatogenesis. The strain y w; Ki Delta2-3 carrying endogenous transposase activity was a gift from the laboratory of Igor Zhimulev, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia.

Acetic acid/orcein and DAPI staining

The females w Mer³P{ry [+t7.2] = neoFRT}19A/FM6, y B were mated with the males FM6, y B/Y from the same stock. The resulting Mer³ male y w Mer³P{ry [+t7.2] = neoFRT}19A/Y and control FM6, y B/Y males were obtained and their testes were dissected. The squashed preparations of testes were performed according to Ashburner [27]. Briefly, testes were dissected in Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS) and stained in a 1:1 mixture of 1% acetic acid/orcein and 1% acetic acid/carmine for 2 hours at room temperature. Stained testes were examined under phase-contrast optics of an Axiovert-200 microscope (Carl-Zeiss). For DAPI staining, dissected testis tissues were fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde in Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.2, and stained with DAPI (1.5 μg/ml) prior to visualization under the epifluorescence optics of an Axiovert-200 microscope.

Transgenesis

Genomic DNA were isolated from flies carrying the UAS-MycMer⁺ or UAS-MycMer³ insertion as described above and amplified by PCR to generate Merlin cDNAs as previously described [8]. The Merlin cDNAs were inserted into the pUASP vector at the Sac II and Xba I sites. The DNA inserts in the plasmids were confirmed by restriction digestions and direct sequencing. Embryos with the genetic constitution y w; Ki Delta2-3, carrying the endogenous transposase Delta2-3, were injected with the pUASP-MycMer⁺ or pUASP-MycMer³ DNA. After reaching the adult stage, the injected flies were mated with y w mating partners. The resulting w⁺ progeny were isolated and crossed to establish a strain carrying a transposition. A few independent insertions were obtained for each construct, and the presence of the Merlin coding sequence in the transposants was tested by PCR analysis of genomic DNA described above.

Living cytology

For the examination of sperm motility, seminal vesicles of male flies that had been alone for three days were isolated and checked for movement of sperm heads under Varel contrast optics of an Axiovert-200 microscope. For general spermatogenesis inspection, dissected testes were squashed in HBSS using coverslips as described by Fuller [2]. The unfixed preparations of live cysts were examined for the coiling process according to Cross and Shellenbarger [3].

Antibody staining

Dissected testes were placed onto poly-L-lysine coated slides. To isolate cysts, the dissected testes were pierced using a tungsten needle attached to a Narishigi micromanipulator. Slides with testis tissues attached were fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde in PBS, pH 7.2. After washing in PBS 10 min three times, fixed tissues were permeated with 1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 30 min and then pretreated with the blocking solution containing 1% non-fat dry milk in PBS. Pretreated tissues were incubated with a guinea pig anti-Merlin antibody (1:6000 dilution; [17]) or a mouse anti-α-tubulin antibody (1:500 dilution; Sigma Chemicals) overnight. After washing with PBS three times, a secondary antibody conjugate (Alexa 488-conjugated anti-guinea pig IgG [1:700 dilution], Alexa 568-conjugated anti-mouse IgG [1:200 dilution, or a FITC-conjugated anti-mouse IgG [1:50 dilution]) was added for 2 hours at room temperature. To visualize actin filaments, FITC-conjugated phalloidin (1:50 dilution; Molecular Probe) was used. In some experiments, nuclei were stained with DAPI (1.5 μg/ml). After staining, the slides were mounted in Mowiol with 10% DABCO and examined under the epifluorescence or phase-contrast optics of an Axiovert-200 or an Olympus BX50 microscope.

Electron microscopy

Dissected testes were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde in PBS, pH 7.4, for 2 hours and then treated with 1% osmium tetraoxide in PBS for 1 hour. Treated tissues were stained with 1% uranyl acetate at 4°C overnight. Following dehydration in ascending ethanol solutions, stained tissues were embedded in Agar-100, mounted in the block, and polymerized at 60°C for two to three days. Ultrathin sections were prepared and contrasted by incubating in 1% uranyl acetate and lead citrate, and examined using a Hitachi H7650 or a JEOL 1000SX transmission electron microscope.

IC:

individualization complex

ERM:

the ezrin, radixin, and moesin proteins

NF2 :

the Neurofibromatosis 2 gene

FERM:

protein 4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin

D-Mer :

the Drosophila Merlin gene

grk :

the gurken gene

Grk:

the Gurken protein

Chc :

the Clathrin heavy chain gene

scat :

the scattered gene

cbx :

the crossbronx gene

EcR :

the Ecdysone Receptor gene

fzo :

the fuzzy onion gene

rn :

the rotund gene

TSLC1:

the Tumor Suppressor for Lung Cancer 1 protein

GFP:

green fluorescent protein

HBSS:

Hanks balanced salt solution

PBS:

phosphate-buffered saline

We sincerely thank Rick G. Fehon for providing us various Merlin mutant strains and the anti-Merlin antibody. We are also grateful to Alain Debec for the strain with GFP insertion in the CG8351 gene, and Igor Zhimulev for the Delta2-3 strain. Special appreciation goes to Cynthia McAllister for EM assistance, and Amanda Simcox and Sarah S. Burns for critical reading of the manuscript. This study was supported by grants from the US Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis Research Program (W81XWH-04-1-0509) and Russian Fund of Fundamental Investigation (05-04-48316).

Affiliations

1. Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

   • Natalia V Dorogova
   • , Sergei A Kopyl
   • , Natalia V Gubanova
   • , Olga S Yudina
   •  & Leonid V Omelyanchuk

2. Center for Childhood Cancer, Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA

   • Elena M Akhmametyeva
   •  & Long-Sheng Chang

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Long-Sheng Chang.

Authors' contributions

NVD performed immunostaining analysis, EMA and NVG carried out electron microscopy, SAK conducted genetic crosses, OSY generated pUASP constructs, LVO helped with cytological analysis and prepared a draft of the manuscript, and LSC was the principal investigator of the project and participated in the design, coordination, and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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