A deubiquitinating enzyme, UCH/CeUBP130, has an essential role in the formation of a functional microtubule-organizing centre (MTOC) during early cleavage in C-elegans

Background: Denbiquitinating enzymes generate monomeric ubiquitin in protei n degradation pathways and are known to be important for the early developm ent in many organisms. Results: RNA interference experiments targeted for a UBP homologue, UCH/CeU BP130, in C. elegans resulted in cell division defective embryos. Immunosta ining localized UCH/CeUBP130 in the sperm and at the microtubule-organizing centre (MTOC) during early cleavage. Furthermore, the embryonic lethal phe notype was rescued by mating with wild-type males. Conclusions: Since it is known that the MTOC in the fertilized embryo is co ntributed by sperm asters in C. elegans, we suggest that UCH/CeUBP130 and u biquitin protein degradation pathways may be involved in microtubule-based sperm aster formation. Therefore UCH/CeUBP130 is necessary for the formatio n of a functional MTOC in the fertilized embryo of C. elegans.