Defining the Sex-Specific Differences in the MeiosisI/II Transition of C. elegans Spermatogenesis Through CLS-2 Localization
Emma Harms, Allen Ramsey, Elida Hernandez
Department of Biology
Faculty Supervisor: Diana Chu
While many parts of the C. elegans sperm meiosis cycle are understood in both sexes, definitions of transition points are not fully clarified. One plus-end microtubule tracking protein called CLS-2 is highly involved in making microtubule connections necessary to prepare the cell for meiosisI/II transition, but it is unknown whether this involvement is sex-specific or directly affects division timing. We hypothesize that CLS-2 is involved in signaling the meiosisI/II transition through localization changes, differing based on sex. Our research indicates that wild-type male spermatogenesis experiences a slower meiosisI/II transition compared to hermaphrodites, but when CLS-2 is partially depleted, time to centrosome split was not significantly different between sexes. We also show a CLS-2 localization change from the inner face of the autosomes just before the centrosome split to enveloping autosomes at the centrosome split. These data also indicate a more significant effect on lagging X chromosome resolution in males, suggesting a highly sex-specific role of CLS-2 in sperm meiosis. Future directions include determining the role of the lagging X chromosome in regulating this timing and defining the purpose for the change in CLS-2 localization through investigating microtubule-kinetochore attachments and centrosome localization.