title: Role of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5' kinase (ppk-1) in ovulation of Caenorhabditis elegans.
abstract: During Caenorhabditis elegans ovulation, the somatic gonad integrates signals from germ cells and propels a mature oocyte into the spermatheca for fertilization. Previous work suggests that phosphoinositide signaling plays important roles in C. elegans fertility. To fully understand inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) signaling in ovulation, we have examined the function of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5' kinase (PIP5K) in C. elegans. Our results show that the C. elegans PIP5K homolog, ppk-1, is essential for ovulation in C. elegans; ppk-1 is mainly expressed in somatic gonad, and depletion of ppk-1 expression causes defective ovulation, reduced gonad sheath contractility, and sterility. Increased IP(3) signaling compensates for ppk-1 (RNAi)-induced sterility, suggesting that ppk-1 is linked to IP(3) signaling. These results demonstrate that ppk-1 plays an essential role in IP(3) signaling and cytoskeleton organization in somatic gonad.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Baylor University, One Bear Place 97388, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaojian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Haisu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Diane L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Wycuff
authors.forename: Myeongwoo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D009218:Myosins / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010060:Ovulation / Q000235:genetics*; D010063:Ovum / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor) / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; D053496:Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D017853:Phosphotransferases (Alcohol Group Acceptor); C020077:1-phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase; D009218:Myosins