Insect reproduction is of critical importance to human health because insects are a major vector of infectious human diseases. Many factors influence the timing and amount of investment in egg production by female insects. In many insect species, proteins (called """"""""Acps"""""""") transferred from male to female in the seminal fluids induce females to increase egg production rate. Investigation into the mode of action of these proteins can provide insights into the molecular cascade that stimulates insect ovulation and aid in the development of methods to control reproduction of insect vectors of human disease. Drosophila melanogaster provides an excellent model system in which to study the mode of action of these proteins because D. melanogaster Acps have molecular counterparts in other insects (69% are found in Anopheles gambiae) and because an extensive set of molecular techniques has been developed for use in this species. I will investigate the mode of action of an ovulation-stimulating prohormone, Acp26Aa.
The specific aims of my study are to (i) identify the site(s) of action of Acp26Aa; (ii) test whether processing is necessary for it to function; and (iii) determine which male- and female-derived molecules are involved in Acp26Aa activation. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32GM074361-03
Application #
7231422
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F08 (20))
Program Officer
Haynes, Susan R
Project Start
2005-06-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2007-06-01
Budget End
2008-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2007
Total Cost
$48,796
Indirect Cost
Name
Cornell University
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
872612445
City
Ithaca
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14850
Sirot, Laura K; Findlay, Geoffrey D; Sitnik, Jessica L et al. (2014) Molecular characterization and evolution of a gene family encoding both female- and male-specific reproductive proteins in Drosophila. Mol Biol Evol 31:1554-67
South, A; Sirot, L K; Lewis, S M (2011) Identification of predicted seminal fluid proteins in Tribolium castaneum. Insect Mol Biol 20:447-56
Sirot, Laura K; Hardstone, Melissa C; Helinski, Michelle E H et al. (2011) Towards a semen proteome of the dengue vector mosquito: protein identification and potential functions. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 5:e989
Sirot, Laura K; Wolfner, Mariana F; Wigby, Stuart (2011) Protein-specific manipulation of ejaculate composition in response to female mating status in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 108:9922-6
Wigby, Stuart; Sirot, Laura K; Linklater, Jon R et al. (2009) Seminal fluid protein allocation and male reproductive success. Curr Biol 19:751-7
Sirot, Laura K; Buehner, Norene A; Fiumera, Anthony C et al. (2009) Seminal fluid protein depletion and replenishment in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster: an ELISA-based method for tracking individual ejaculates. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 63:1505-1513
Sirot, Laura K; Poulson, Rebecca L; McKenna, M Caitlin et al. (2008) Identity and transfer of male reproductive gland proteins of the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti: potential tools for control of female feeding and reproduction. Insect Biochem Mol Biol 38:176-89
Haerty, Wilfried; Jagadeeshan, Santosh; Kulathinal, Rob J et al. (2007) Evolution in the fast lane: rapidly evolving sex-related genes in Drosophila. Genetics 177:1321-35
Ravi Ram, Kristipati; Sirot, Laura K; Wolfner, Mariana F (2006) Predicted seminal astacin-like protease is required for processing of reproductive proteins in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 103:18674-9