Figure 1.

C. elegans germline organization. (A) C. elegans germline has an organized cell surface (left arm), with hexagonal plasma membranes. Due to incomplete cytokinesis in the distal region, the germline has a central rachis with shared cytoplasm (right arm). The two gonad arms end in common uterus. (B) Schematized view of one gonad arm. MPK-1 is active in mid-pachytene, downregulated in the loop, active proximal diakinetic oocytes and turned off in mature oocyte. Active ERK has not been demonstrated in early embryo.