Fertilization: monogamy by mutually assured destruction.
The fusion of Chlamydomonas gamete membranes leads to rapid degradation of FUS1 and HAP2, proteins required for gamete fusion. This provides a mechanism to prevent any subsequent fusion events, thereby preventing polygamy.
Johnson
Mark A
MA
Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
D002696:Chlamydomonas / Q000502:physiology*; D005306:Fertilization; D005854:Germ Cells; D013084:Sperm-Ovum Interactions