Hedgehog signaling in germ cell migration.
The primitive gonad of the Drosophila embryo is formed from two cell types, the somatic gonad precursor cells (SGPs) and the germ cells, which originate at distant sites. To reach the SGPs the germ cells must undergo a complex series of cell movements. While there is evidence that attractive and repulsive signals guide germ cell migration through the embryo, the molecular identity of these instructive molecules has remained elusive. Here, we present evidence suggesting that hedgehog (hh) may serve as such an attractive guidance cue. Misexpression of hh in the soma induces germ cells to migrate to inappropriate locations. Conversely, cell-autonomous components of the hh pathway appear to be required in the germline for proper germ cell migration.
Deshpande
G
G
Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. gdeshpande@molbio.princeton.edu
Swanhart
L
L
Chiang
P
P
Schedl
P
P
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005656:Fungal Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007814:Larva; D008297:Male; D010063:Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D005656:Fungal Proteins; C052130:GAL4 protein, S cerevisiae; D053823:Hedgehog Proteins; D019476:Insect Proteins; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; C077245:hh protein, Drosophila; D001616:beta-Galactosidase