msp-36 encodes a protein that belongs to a family of proteins called the Major Sperm Proteins (MSPs) that is conserved in nematodes; this family comprises of closely related, small, basic proteins that make up 15% of sperm protein; this multigene family consists of over fifty genes, including many pseudogenes; MSP is involved in both extracellular signaling and cytoskeletal functions during reproduction-MSP antagonizes Eph/ephrin signaling, in part, by binding VAB-1 Eph receptor tyrosine kinase on oocytes and sheath cells to promote oocyte maturation and MAPK activation; MSP assembles into fibrous networks that drives movement of the C. elegans sperm; msp genes are expressed only in late primary spermatocytes.
Expressed in gonad; oocyte; and sperm. Is predicted to encode a protein with the following domains: Major sperm protein (MSP) domain; MSP (Major sperm protein) domain; PapD-like superfamily; and Immunoglobulin-like fold.
Map position created from combination of previous interpolated map position (based on known location of sequence) and allele information. Therefore this is not a genetic map position based on recombination frequencies or genetic experiments. This was done on advice of the CGC.