Species-Specific Functional Regions of the Green Alga Gamete Fusion Protein HAP2 Revealed by Structural Studies (Structure)

Baquero et al. report the structure of the HAP2 gamete fusion protein of the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii alga, describing key elements required to bridge two opposite-type gametes and drive their fusion. Mutagenesis of these elements confirmed their membrane-interaction function. Additional specific HAP2 protein-protein interaction sites are described as potential fusion controls.