NIH R01 · 2024
Regulation of fertility and reproduction by codon usage: a Drosophila model
Specialized cellular identity requires unique protein expression control. Such expression control in gametes and reproductive neurons ensures fertility. By studying cell- and tissue-level genetic code regulation, we discovered multiple links to reproductive biology. Specifically, we found that in both flies (Drosophila) and humans, the germ cells of the testis but not the ovary upregulate numerous mRNAs that are enriched in rarely used codons. We then revealed that rare codons restrict the ribosomal protein RpL10Aa to the fly testis to ensure fertility. Few other fly cell types express a rare codon reporter outside of the testis, with an additional example being most types of neurons of the…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.