The EGR family gene egrh-1 functions non-autonomously in the control of oocyte meiotic maturation and ovulation in C. elegans.

ABSTRACT: Oocyte production, maturation and ovulation must be coordinated with sperm availability for successful fertilization. In C. elegans this coordination involves signals from the sperm to the oocyte and somatic gonad, which stimulate maturation and ovulation. We have found that the C. elegans early growth response factor family member EGRH-1 inhibits oocyte maturation and ovulation until sperm are available. In the absence of sperm, egrh-1 mutants exhibit derepressed oocyte maturation marked by MAPK activation and ovulation. egrh-1 mutants exhibit ectopic oocyte differentiation in the distal gonadal arm and accumulate abnormal and degraded oocytes proximally. These defects result in reduced brood size and partially penetrant embryonic lethality. We have found that endogenous EGRH-1 protein an

SUBMITTER: Clary LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2926961 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature