A neuropeptide signaling that regulate the male ejaculation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Dromyosuppressin (DMS) is a signaling peptide identified in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. It is shown to decrease the peristalsis of the foregut and to inhibit the cardiac activity. Biochemical analyses have implicated two G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), DMSR-1 and DMSR-2 as its cognate receptors. Here, we show that DMS neurons innervate the male ejaculatory duct in Drosophila. The ejaculatory ducㅁs than those from the controls. Furthermore, the ejaculatory duct peristalsis of either DMSR mutants is much less sensitive to DMS treatment than the controls. Remarkably, males with compromised DMS signaling transfer much less sperm and terminate copulation with longer delays, and as a consequence show lower fertility, compared with the controls. Together, my results identify a novel function of the DMS pathway, specifically in the control of sperm ejaculation.