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First published online June 1, 2005
doi: 10.1242/10.1242/dev.01868

Development 132, 2795-2808 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
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The Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene encodes a novel four-pass integral membrane protein required for sperm function at fertilization

Indrani Chatterjee1, Alissa Richmond2, Emily Putiri1,*, Diane C. Shakes2 and Andrew Singson1,{dagger}

1 Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
2 Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA

{dagger} Author for correspondence (e-mail: singson{at}waksman.rutgers.edu)

Accepted 18 April 2005

A mutation in the Caenorhabditis elegans spe-38 gene results in a sperm-specific fertility defect. spe-38 sperm are indistinguishable from wild-type sperm with regards to their morphology, motility and migratory behavior. spe-38 sperm make close contact with oocytes but fail to fertilize them. spe-38 sperm can also stimulate ovulation and engage in sperm competition. The spe-38 gene is predicted to encode a novel four-pass (tetraspan) integral membrane protein. Structurally similar tetraspan molecules have been implicated in processes such as gamete adhesion/fusion in mammals, membrane adhesion/fusion during yeast mating, and the formation/function of tight-junctions in metazoa. In antibody localization experiments, SPE-38 was found to concentrate on the pseudopod of mature sperm, consistent with it playing a direct role in gamete interactions.

Key words: Fertilization, Sperm, Oocyte, C. elegans, Tetraspan, spe-38




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