SUMOylation is required for proper function of ZTF-8. (A) 3KR and 4KR mutants exhibit a 25% reduction in brood size compared to wild type. (B) Diagram of a C. elegans germline indicating the position of the seven zones scored for RAD-51 foci. (C) Non-SUMOylatable ZTF-8 mutants exhibit elevated levels of RAD-51 foci similar to ztf-8 null mutants in both mitotic (zones 1 and 2) and meiotic (zone 5) nuclei. (D) Expression of a HUS-1::GFP transgene in pachytene nuclei of wild type (hus-1::gfp), ztf-8 (hus-1::gfp;ztf-8(tm2176)), 1KR (hus-1::gfp;rj24), 3KR (hus-1::gfp;rj25), and 4KR (hus-1::gfp;rj26) mutants. Bar, 2 μm. (E) Non-SUMOylatable ZTF-8 mutants exhibit impaired activation of germ cell apoptosis similar to ztf-8 null mutants.