Model for how zinc functions as a second messenger during <i>C</i>. <i>elegans</i> sperm activation.

<p>Upon activation by the SPE-8 signaling pathway, zinc is released into the cytoplasm from intracellular storage organelles via ZIPT-7.1. High levels of cytoplasmic zinc activate yet-to-be-identified zinc-binding proteins that trigger the physiological changes to develop motility structures. SPE-8, spermatogenesis defective; ZIPT-7.1, Zrt- and Irt-like Protein Transporter 7.1.