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Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Dissection and Live-Imaging of the Late Embryonic Drosophila Gonad
Published on: October 17, 2020
Regulation of Actin Dynamics in the C. elegans Somatic Gonad
Charlotte A Kelley1, Erin J Cram2
1Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA. kelley.ch@husky.neu.edu.
Abstract:
The reproductive system of the hermaphroditic nematode C. elegans consists of a series of contractile cell types-including the gonadal sheath cells, the spermathecal cells and the spermatheca⁻uterine valve-that contract in a coordinated manner to regulate oocyte entry and exit of the fertilized embryo into the uterus. Contraction is driven by acto-myosin contraction and relies on the development and maintenance of specialized acto-myosin networks in each cell type. Study of this system has revealed insights into the regulation of acto-myosin network assembly and contractility in vivo.
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