Swiss cheese Is Essential for Maintaining Spermatogenesis and the Proper Functioning of Biological Barriers in Drosophila

Functional changes in PNPLA6 (Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 6), caused by gene mutations or inhibition by organophosphates, affect the levels of various phospholipids. In humans, this leads to organophosphorus compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity syndrome (OPIDN) and a number of rare diseases. In this study, we analyze the role of the Swiss cheese gene (sws), an ortholog of PNPLA6, in spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. We report that the sws1 mutation affects membrane remodeling during spermatid individualization, as well as spermatid coiling during the late stages of spermatogenesis. In addition, the sws1 mutation leads to changes in the transcriptome in the testes of flies. We also demonstrate that sws is required for the proper functioning of important biological barriers in Drosophila.