Symmetry breaking in C. elegans: another gift from the sperm.
Polarization of the C. elegans embryo depends on the sperm-contributed centrosome, which cues a retraction of the actomyosin cortex to the opposite end of the embryo by an unknown mechanism. New evidence reveals that the sperm donates a second polarizing cue that may locally relax the actomyosin cortex near the point of sperm entry.
Marston
Daniel J
DJ
Biology Department, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599, USA.
Goldstein
Bob
B
D000205:Actomyosin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018385:Centrosome / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D000205:Actomyosin