[RNW] - Gamete Interactions in Caenorhabditis elegans

相关性：受精是一个生物过程，具有重要的医学、社会意义 以及对经济的影响。从广泛的研究来看，受精事件在 一些细节。然而，这些事件的分子基础通常仍然存在。 难以捉摸。以前关于受精的大部分工作都依赖于生化和免疫学。 接近了。我们的工作是开创性地将经典的遗传分析应用于 这一至关重要的研究领域。 原理：许多为线虫开发的遗传和分子工具 是不可用的或很难在传统上用于 研究受精。线虫最显著的优势之一是能够 分离和维护影响精子或卵子而不影响其他细胞的突变株。此前， 通过对无菌突变体的研究，我们已经确定了一些第一批分子 线虫中产生配子相互作用所必需的。我们的目标是获得更好的 了解精子分子(SPE-13、SPE-36和SPE-51)如何发挥作用以确保 受精成功。与出云类似的spe-45和spe-51基因代表保守的 从虫子到人类的精子功能。进一步，对分子的全面理解 如果没有更完整的分子清单，受精机制是不可能的 组件。因此，我们的目标是通过基因识别新的受精分子 和分子分析。将特别强调对基因的识别。 是卵母细胞所必需的。 目标：本提案的目的是加深我们对 线虫受精的实验目的如下：1)调查 配子功能的机械连接、功能和受精途径 SPE-13、SPE-36和SPE-51分子。2)开展互补性转发和 受精突变体的反向遗传筛选。我们将利用创新的 丰富配子功能突变体的遗传筛选策略。3)确定 受精缺陷新配子功能基因的分子本质 突变表型。这项工作也将补充其他生物体的生育研究。 AS提供了对细胞-细胞相互作用的机制的洞察以及 生殖策略。

RELEVANCE: Fertilization is biological process with important medical, social and economic implications. From extensive study, the events of fertilization are known in some detail. However, the molecular underpinnings of these events generally remain elusive. Most previous work on fertilization has relied on biochemical and immunological approaches. Our work is groundbreaking in the application of classic gentic analsysis to this vital area of research. RATIONALE: Many of the genetic and molecular tools developed for C. elegans are not available or are very difficult to utilize in other organisms traditionally used for studying fertilization. One of the most significant advantages of C. elegans is the ability to isolate and maintain mutants that affect sperm or eggs and no other cells. Previously, through the study of sterile mutants, we have identified some of the first molecules required for productive gamete interactions in C. elegans. We aim to get a better understanding how sperm molecules (SPE-13, SPE-36, and SPE-51) function to insure successful fertilization. The Izumo-like spe-45 and spe-51 genes represent conserved sperm function from worms to humans. Futher, a full understanding of the molecular mechanisms of fertilization is impossible without a more complete inventory of molecular components. Therefore we aim to identify new fertilization molecules through genetic and molecular analysis. Particular emphasis will be placed on the identification of genes required in oocytes. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this proposal is to further our understanding of fertilization in C. elegans by conducting the following experimental aims: 1) Investigate mechanistic connections, functions, and fertilization pathways of the gamete function molecules SPE-13, SPE-36, and SPE-51. 2) Conduct complementary forward and reverse genetic screens for fertilization mutants. We will take advantage of an innovative genetic screening strategy that enriches for gamete function mutants. 3) Determine the molecular nature of new gamete function genes defined by a fertilization defective mutant phenotype. This work will complement fertility studies in other organisms as well as provide insights into the mechanisms of cell-cell interactions and the diversity of reproductive strategies.