Regulation of male fertility and accessory gland gene expression by the Drosophila DHR39 nuclear receptor

Here we show that the Drosophila nuclear receptor DHR39 is necessary for male reproduction and acts as a global regulator of accessory gland gene expression. Mutants for the DHR39 transcription factor are sterile, with the majority of accessory gland genes expressed at reduced levels. Specific depletion of DHR39 within the accessory gland is sufficient to reduce male fecundity and accessory gland gene expression. Restoration of DHR39 in the accessory gland of DHR39 mutants rescues this sterility and transcriptional reduction. We conclude that DHR39 is a key regulator of most accessory gland genes, including ovulin and sex peptide, and is necessary for male fertility. Overall design: Comparison of mRNA levels in control and DHR39 mutant animals. n=3-5 replicates per genotype **Please note that the control samples from GSE152031 are re-used in the current study and duplicated sample records are created for the convenient retrieval of the complete raw data from SRA.