Importin-9 regulates chromosome segregation and packaging in Drosophila germ cells

Victor Palacios, Garrett C. Kimble, Tina L. Tootle, Michael Buszczak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Germ cells undergo distinct nuclear processes as they differentiate into gametes. Although these events must be coordinated to ensure proper maturation, the stage-specific transport of proteins in and out of germ cell nuclei remains incompletely understood. Our efforts to genetically characterize Drosophila genes that exhibit enriched expression in germ cells led to the finding that loss of the highly conserved Importin β/ karyopherin family member Importin-9 (Ipo9, herein referring to Ranbp9) results in female and male sterility. Immunofluorescence and fluorescent in situ hybridization revealed that Ipo9KO mutants display chromosome condensation and segregation defects during meiosis. In addition, Ipo9KO mutant males form abnormally structured sperm and fail to properly exchange histones for protamines. Ipo9 physically interacts with proteasome proteins, and Ipo9 mutant males exhibit disruption of the nuclear localization of several proteasome components. Thus, Ipo9 coordinates the nuclear import of functionally related factors necessary for the completion of gametogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberjcs258391
JournalJournal of cell science
Volume134
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2021

Keywords

  • Chromatin
  • Chromosome condensation
  • Histone
  • Karyopherin
  • Meiosis
  • Nuclear actin
  • Nuclear import
  • Protamine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cell Biology

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