Single-cell RNA-sequencing reveals the transcriptional landscape of ND-42 mediated spermatid elongation via mitochondrial derivative maintenance in Drosophila testes
Jun Yu,
Zhiran Li,
Yangbo Fu,
Feiteng Sun,
Xia Chen,
Qiuru Huang,
Lei He,
Hao Yu,
Li Ji,
Xinmeng Cheng,
Yi Shi,
Cong Shen,
Bo Zheng,
Fei Sun
Affiliations
Jun Yu
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Corresponding author.
Zhiran Li
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Yangbo Fu
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Feiteng Sun
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Xia Chen
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University and First People's Hospital of Nantong City, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226001, China
Qiuru Huang
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Lei He
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Hao Yu
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Li Ji
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Xinmeng Cheng
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Yi Shi
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
Cong Shen
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, China
Bo Zheng
State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, 215002, China; Corresponding author.
Fei Sun
Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China; Corresponding author.
During spermatogenesis, mitochondria extend along the whole length of spermatid tail and offer a structural platform for microtubule reorganization and synchronized spermatid individualization, that eventually helps to generate mature sperm in Drosophila. However, the regulatory mechanism of spermatid mitochondria during elongation remains largely unknown. Herein, we demonstrated that NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 42 kDa subunit (ND-42) was essential for male fertility and spermatid elongation in Drosophila. Moreover, ND-42 depletion led to mitochondrial disorders in Drosophila testes. Based on single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), we identified 15 distinct cell clusters, including several unanticipated transitional subpopulations or differentiative stages for testicular germ cell complexity in Drosophila testes. Enrichments of the transcriptional regulatory network in the late-stage cell populations revealed key roles of ND-42 in mitochondria and its related biological processes during spermatid elongation. Notably, we demonstrated that ND-42 depletion led to maintenance defects of the major mitochondrial derivative and the minor mitochondrial derivative by affecting mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial-encoded genes. Our study proposes a novel regulatory mechanism of ND-42 for spermatid mitochondrial derivative maintenance, contributing to a better understanding of spermatid elongation.
