COMP-1 promotes competitive advantage of nematode sperm

ELife
Jody M HansenGillian M Stanfield

Abstract

Competition among sperm to fertilize oocytes is a ubiquitous feature of sexual reproduction as well as a profoundly important aspect of sexual selection. However, little is known about the cellular mechanisms sperm use to gain competitive advantage or how these mechanisms are regulated genetically. In this study, we utilize a forward genetic screen in Caenorhabditis elegans to identify a gene, comp-1, whose function is specifically required in competitive contexts. We show that comp-1 functions in sperm to modulate their migration through and localization within the reproductive tract, thereby promoting their access to oocytes. Contrary to previously described models, comp-1 mutant sperm show no defects in size or velocity, thereby defining a novel pathway for preferential usage. Our results indicate not only that sperm functional traits can influence the outcome of sperm competition, but also that these traits can be modulated in a context-dependent manner depending on the presence of competing sperm.

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Citations

Jul 2, 2015·BioEssays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology·Asher D Cutter
Apr 18, 2015·ELife·Ronald E Ellis, Qing Wei
Nov 1, 2016·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Anne VielleChristian Braendle
Aug 10, 2019·Genetics·Clotilde GimondChristian Braendle
Oct 2, 2019·Frontiers in Genetics·Alberto Civetta, José M Ranz
Sep 7, 2019·Genetics·Asher D CutterPatrick C Phillips
Oct 18, 2018·G3 : Genes - Genomes - Genetics·Janice J TingAsher D Cutter
Oct 1, 2019·Genetics·Clotilde GimondChristian Braendle

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Methods Mentioned

BETA
PCR
restriction digest
transgenic
light microscopy

Software Mentioned

Manual Tracking and Chemotaxis and Migration Tool
Axiovision
ImageJ

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