The genetic and molecular analysis of spe-19, a gene required for sperm activation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Geldziler, Brian; Chatterjee, Indrani; Singson, Andrew

doi:10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.04.036

Cited by 48 publications

(48 citation statements)

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“…Localization was disrupted in mutant backgrounds for spe-12, spe-19, and spe-27, and perhaps for spe-29. It is not surprising that SPE-12 and SPE-19 proteins are required for proper SPE-8 localization because both have transmembrane domains, and SPE-12 has been shown experimentally to reside in the cell membrane [5,7]. However, the requirement of SPE-27 for proper SPE-8 localization is unexpected, given that SPE-27 is predicted to be cytosolic [38].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mutant hermaphrodites become self-fertile when inseminated by males because their self-spermatids are activated by TRY-5 in the seminal fluid. Given that spe-12, spe-19, and spe-29 encode membrane proteins [5-7], it has been proposed that a complex of the SPE-8 group proteins forms at the cell membrane to transduce the zinc-derived signal into the cell. Although spe-8 was the first gene of this group to be named, the molecular identity of spe-8 has not been published.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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SPE-8, a protein-tyrosine kinase, localizes to the spermatid cell membrane through interaction with other members of the SPE-8 group spermatid activation signaling pathway in C. elegans

et al. 2014

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BackgroundThe SPE-8 group gene products transduce the signal for spermatid activation initiated by extracellular zinc in C. elegans. Mutations in the spe-8 group genes result in hermaphrodite-derived spermatids that cannot activate to crawling spermatozoa, although spermatids from mutant males activate through a pathway induced by extracellular TRY-5 protease present in male seminal fluid.ResultsHere, we identify SPE-8 as a member of a large family of sperm-expressed non-receptor-like protein-tyrosine kinases. A rescuing SPE-8::GFP translational fusion reporter localizes to the plasma membrane in all spermatogenic cells from the primary spermatocyte stage through spermatids. Once spermatids become activated to spermatozoa, the reporter moves from the plasma membrane to the cytoplasm. Mutations in the spe-8 group genes spe-12, spe-19, and spe-27 disrupt localization of the reporter to the plasma membrane, while localization appears near normal in a spe-29 mutant background.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the SPE-8 group proteins form a functional complex localized at the plasma membrane, and that SPE-8 is correctly positioned only when all members of the SPE-8 group are present, with the possible exception of SPE-29. Further, SPE-8 is released from the membrane when the activation signal is transduced into the spermatid.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SPE-8, a protein-tyrosine kinase, localizes to the spermatid cell membrane through interaction with other members of the SPE-8 group spermatid activation signaling pathway in C. elegans

et al. 2014

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“…C. elegans was the first multicellular organism to have a completely sequenced genome (Hodgkin et al, 1995). C. elegans biologists are avid consumers of genomic data and our lab has used this approach to investigate the role of molecules that are specifically expressed in sperm or oocytes (Geldziler et al, 2006;Geldziler et al, 2005;Kadandale et al, 2005;Reinke et al, 2000). Once a gene of interest has been identified, its function can be tested by isolating a knockout of the gene or using double strand RNA interference (RNAi, see below) (Fire, 1999;Fire et al, 1998).…”

Section: Sperm Function Moleculesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genes required for the common miracle of fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans

Singson¹,

Hang²,

Parry³

2008

Int. J. Dev. Biol.

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Fertilization involves multiple layers of sperm-egg interactions that lead to gamete fusion and egg activation. There must be specific molecules required for these interactions. The challenge is to determine the identity of the genes encoding these molecules and how their protein products function. The nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as an efficient model system for gene discovery and understanding the molecular mechanisms of fertilization. The primary advantage of the C. elegans system is the ability to isolate and maintain mutants that affect sperm or eggs and no other cells. In this review we describe progress and challenges in the analysis of genes required for gamete interactions and egg activation in the worm.

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“…The five spe-8 group genes, spe-8 , spe-12 , spe-19 , spe-27 , and spe-29 , all encode proteins expressed in sperm [34, 35, 60, 84, 85]. SPE-12, SPE-19 and SPE-29 have transmembrane domains, and SPE-8 is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase.…”

Section: Spermiogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

The regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm function in nematodes

Ellis

Stanfield

2014

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology

110

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In the nematode C. elegans, both males and self-fertile hermaphrodites produce sperm. As a result, researchers have been able to use a broad range of genetic and genomic techniques to dissect all aspects of sperm development and function. Their results show that the early stages of spermatogenesis are controlled by transcriptional and translational processes, but later stages are dominated by protein kinases and phosphatases. Once spermatids are produced, they participate in many interactions with other cells — signals from the somatic gonad determine when sperm activate and begin to crawl, signals from the female reproductive tissues guide the sperm, and signals from sperm stimulate oocytes to mature and be ovulated. The sperm also show strong competitive interactions with other sperm and oocytes. Some of the molecules that mediate these processes have conserved functions in animal sperm, others are conserved proteins that have been adapted for new roles in nematode sperm, and some are novel proteins that provide insights into evolutionary change. The advent of new techniques should keep this system on the cutting edge of research in cellular and reproductive biology.

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The genetic and molecular analysis of spe-19, a gene required for sperm activation in Caenorhabditis elegans

Cited by 48 publications

References 49 publications

SPE-8, a protein-tyrosine kinase, localizes to the spermatid cell membrane through interaction with other members of the SPE-8 group spermatid activation signaling pathway in C. elegans

SPE-8, a protein-tyrosine kinase, localizes to the spermatid cell membrane through interaction with other members of the SPE-8 group spermatid activation signaling pathway in C. elegans

Genes required for the common miracle of fertilization in Caenorhabditis elegans

The regulation of spermatogenesis and sperm function in nematodes

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