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

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2005.04.036 Byline: Brian Geldziler, Indrani Chatterjee, Andrew Singson Keywords: Fertilization; Sperm; Spermiogenesis; Spermatogenesis; C. elegans Abstract: During the process of spermiogenesis (sperm activation) in Caenorhabditis elegans, the dramatic morphological events that ultimately transform round sessile spermatids into polar motile spermatozoa occur without the synthesis of any new gene products. Previous studies have identified four genes (spe-8, spe-12, spe-27 and spe-29) that specifically block spermiogenesis and lead to hermaphrodite-specific fertility defects. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a new component of the sperm activation pathway, spe-19, that is required for fertility in hermaphrodites. spe-19 is predicted to encode a novel single-pass transmembrane protein. The spe-19 mutant phenotype, genetic interactions and the molecular nature of the gene product suggest SPE-19 to be a candidate for the receptor/co-receptor necessary for the transduction of the activation signal across the sperm plasma membrane. Author Affiliation: Waksman Institute, Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, 190 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA Article History: Received 28 October 2004; Revised 28 April 2005; Accepted 28 April 2005