2026/06/15 by Darline Murat, Margaret Nagorski, Ji Kent Kwah +4 · 1 voice
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Medicine · #Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms #Reproductive Biology and Fertility #Sperm and Testicular Function
paper · doi:10.1242/bio.062634
openalex publication_date 2026/06/15 · openalex created_date 2026/06/16 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Development requires the fusion of two 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 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.