The micronutrient element zinc modulates sperm activation through the SPE-8 pathway inCaenorhabditis elegans

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.091025
• Publication Date: 2013-04-12T01:55:03Z
• Authors: Zhiyu Liu; Lianwan Chen; Yunlong Shang; Ping Huang; Long Miao
• Keywords: Hermaphrodite; Caenorhabditis

Immotile spermatids produced in the testis must undergo a series of poorly understood morphological, physiological and biochemical processes called sperm activation to become motile, fertilization-competent spermatozoa. In Caenorhabditis elegans, spe-8 group contains sperm-specific genes active both males hermaphrodites, although their activity is required only for hermaphrodite self-sperm activation. The activating signal upstream SPE-8 signaling cascade remains unknown. Here, we show that micronutrient zinc sufficient trigger vitro, extracellular induces intracellular redistribution labile zinc. We demonstrate other signals promote similar zinc, indicating might have first and/or second messenger roles during Moreover, zinc-induced pathway dependent. Labile was enriched spermatheca, normal site hermaphrodites. High levels were also found secretory cells male gonad, suggesting be secreted from these copulation component seminal fluid, modulate post-copulation. These data indicate regulates C. finding with important implications understanding hermaphroditic evolution.