EGG-4 and EGG-5 Link Events of the Oocyte-to-Embryo Transition with Meiotic Progression in C. elegans.
The molecular underpinnings of the oocyte-to-embryo transition are poorly understood. Here we show that two protein tyrosine phosphatase-like (PTPL) family proteins, EGG-4 and EGG-5, are required for key events of the oocyte-to-embryo transition in Caenorhabditis elegans. The predicted EGG-4 and EGG-5 amino acid sequences are 99% identical and their functions are redundant. In embryos lacking EGG-4 and EGG-5, we observe defects in meiosis, polar body formation, the block to polyspermy, F-actin dynamics, and eggshell deposition. During oogenesis, EGG-4 and EGG-5 assemble at the oocyte cortex with the previously identified regulators or effectors of the oocyte-to-embryo transition EGG-3, CHS-1, and MBK-2 [1, 2]. All of these molecules share a complex interdependence with regards to their dynamics and subcellular localization. Shortly after fertilization, EGG-4 and EGG-5 are required to properly coordinate a redistribution of CHS-1 and EGG-3 away from the cortex during meiotic anaphase I. Therefore, EGG-4 and EGG-5 are not only required for critical events of the oocyte-to-embryo transition but also link the dynamics of the regulatory machinery with the advancing cell cycle.
Parry
Jean M
JM
Waksman Institute and Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
Velarde
Nathalie V
NV
Lefkovith
Ariel J
AJ
Zegarek
Matthew H
MH
Hang
Julie S
JS
Ohm
Jonathan
J
Klancer
Richard
R
Maruyama
Rika
R
Druzhinina
Marina K
MK
Grant
Barth D
BD
Piano
Fabio
F
Singson
Andrew
A
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002687:Chitin Synthase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics*; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016415:Sequence Alignment
D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C545208:EGG-4 protein, C elegans; C545209:EGG-5 protein, C elegans; D002687:Chitin Synthase; C478059:MBK-2 protein, C elegans; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases