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

The gon-2 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a TRPM cation channel required for gonadal cell divisions. In this article, we demonstrate that. the gonadogenesis defects of gon-2 loss-of-function mutants (including a null allele) can he Suppressed by gain-of-function initiations 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 tire plasma membrane. Therefore, we propose that GEMA acts; in parallel to the GON-2 channel to promote cation uptake within the developing gonad.