Caenorhabditis elegans germline development requires brap-2

Background: Mutations in C. elegans can produce visible and quantifiable defects in morphology, lifespan, and development. BRAP2/IMP (BRCA1-associated binding protein 2) has been characterized as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, a general cytoplasmic retention factor, a potential scaffold protein, and is found to be widely expressed throughout various mammalian tissues, most highly in testes. However, its role in the development or health of these tissues has not been addressed. Results: . The focus of this study is to determine the role of BRAP-2 in C. elegans germline development. We determined that brap-2 mutants display defects in germline morphology and a reduction in brood size. We also found that chromosomal abnormalities and embryonic lethality are elevated in brap-2 mutants following DNA damage, suggesting a potential role for BRAP-2 in facilitating DNA repair. Conclusions: . Our findings indicate that BRAP-2 is required for C. elegans germline health and identifies a novel role for BRAP-2 in germline development.