Genetics. Published Articles Ahead of Print: December 15, 2008, Copyright © 2008
doi:10.1534/genetics.108.094870


A more recent version of this article appeared on February 1, 2009.

REGULAR RESEARCH PAPERS

gem-1 Encodes an SLC16 Monocarboxylate Transporter-related Protein That Functions in Parallel to the gon-2 TRPM Channel During Gonad Development in Caenorhabditis elegans

Benedict J. Kemp 1, Diane L. Church 1, Julia Hatzold 1, Barbara Conradt 2 and Eric J. Lambie 1*

1 Dartmouth College
2 Dartmouth Medical School

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: eric.j.lambie{at}dartmouth.edu.

Submitted on August 11, 2008
Revised on September 2, 2008
Accepted on 9 December 2008


Abstract

The gon-2 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a TRPM cation channel required for gonadal cell divisions. In this paper, we demonstrate that the gonadogenesis defects of gon-2 loss-of-function mutants (including a null allele) can be suppressed by gain-of-function mutations in the gem-1 (gon-2 extragenic modifier) locus. gem-1 encodes a multipass transmembrane protein that is similar to SLC16 family monocarboxylate transporters. Inactivation of gem-1 enhances the gonadogenesis defects of gon-2 hypomorphic mutations, suggesting that these two genes probably act in parallel to promote gonadal cell divisions. GEM-1::GFP is expressed within the gonadal precursor cells and localizes to the plasma membrane. Therefore, we propose that GEM-1 acts in parallel to GON-2 to promote cation uptake within the developing gonad.

Key Words: Caenorhabditis, Magnesium, Monocarboxylate, SLC16, Transporter