The SPARK complex forms the molecular basis of vertebrate fertilization
Victoria E. Deneke, Johannes P Suwita, Haoting Wang, Shingo Tonai, Yonggang Lu, Karin Panser, Alexander Schleiffer, Jeremy A. Hollis, Maria Novatchkova, Gerhard Duernberger, Karel Stejskal, Gabriela Krššáková, Andreas Blaha, Aleq Adrianne R. Andresan, Muriel Mirus, , Andrea Pauli
This study identifies SPARK as a conserved multi-protein complex essential for vertebrate fertilization, linking gamete recognition to membrane fusion.
bioRxiv · May 15, 2026 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology