Single-cell consequences of X-linked meiotic drive in stalk-eyed flies.


Price, Peter D ORCID: 0000-0002-6118-1111, Parkus, Sylvie M, Lloyd, Victoria J ORCID: 0009-0006-8467-0133, Alston, Ben T, Bradshaw, Sasha L, Bates, Sadé ORCID: 0000-0002-9736-1077, Hughes, Margaret A, Paterson, Steve ORCID: 0000-0002-1307-2981, Burke, Terry, Darolti, Iulia ORCID: 0000-0002-5865-4969 et al (show 2 more authors) (2025) Single-cell consequences of X-linked meiotic drive in stalk-eyed flies. PLoS genetics, 21 (9). e1011816-. ISSN 1553-7390, 1553-7404

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Abstract

Sex-linked meiotic drivers limit the inheritance of the alternate sex chromosome in the heterogametic sex, subsequently skewing the offspring sex ratio. They consequently have large impacts on genome evolution, adaptation, and the emergence and maintenance of sexually selected traits. Despite this, our understanding of their molecular basis and consequences for gametogenesis and sex chromosome regulation more broadly has focused on a handful of model organisms, primarily Drosophila and mouse, which are not representative of the broad diversity of reproductive modes and drive systems in nature. Here, we employ single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate a sex-linked meiotic driver in the Malaysian stalk-eyed fly, Teleopsis dalmanni. First, we produce a comprehensive single-cell atlas of the male T. dalmanni gonad and identify major testis cell types. We then provide a comprehensive profile of the cellular and transcriptional landscape of the testis, providing evidence for a lack of complete meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and complex trajectory of dosage compensation. Second, by contrasting single-cell expression data between drive and standard testes, we provide insight into the consequences of a meiotic driver for the transcriptomic landscape of the testis and sex chromosome regulation. Importantly, we show that the presence of a meiotic driver does not perturb fundamental patterns of X-linked regulation. Our results provide insight into how the meiotic driver might bias its transmission to the next generation and highlight genes with perturbed expression as a potential consequence of the disruption of spermatogenesis.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: Testis, Sex Chromosomes, X Chromosome, Animals, Diptera, Meiosis, Dosage Compensation, Genetic, Female, Male, X Chromosome Inactivation, Genes, X-Linked, Single-Cell Analysis, Transcriptome
Divisions: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences
Depositing User: Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2025 08:29
Last Modified: 24 Sep 2025 08:29
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011816
Open Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1011816
Related Websites:
URI: https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3194578
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