Identifies SPSP-1's role in sperm production and embryonic viability in C. elegans, suggesting its importance in development.
Development requires the fusion of gametes each with a haploid complement of DNA and the necessary components (RNA, proteins, organelles) needed for early cellular processes and divisions. The C. elegans paternal-effect embryonic lethal gene, spe-11, is one of the few known sperm components required for normal development. Sperm provided SPE-11 forms a complex with the oocyte protein OOPS-1 at fertilization forming a complex that mediates egg activation events. In this manuscript, we identified SPSP-1, a sperm protein that is associated with SPE-11. We found that SPSP-1 co-localizes with SPE-11 during spermatogenesis and in spermatids. SPSP-1 does not appear to play a role in egg activation like SPE-11. However, SPSP-1 is required to produce normal levels of hermaphrodite sperm and for wild-type levels of embryonic viability.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Murat et al. (2026) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: