title: Modulation of hyaluronan in the migratory pathway of mouse primordial germ cells.
abstract: In the present report we followed the distribution of hyaluronan during the phases of separation, migration, and colonization of the primordial germ cell migratory process. Hyaluronan was detected by the use of two cytochemical methods: (1) ruthenium hexammine trichloride (RHT) associated with enzymatic treatment with hyaluronate lyase and (2) a binding specific probe for hyaluronan. After RHT treatment the proteoglycans and/or glycosaminoglycans were observed as a meshwork formed by electron-dense granules connected by thin filaments. After enzymatic digestion, no filaments could be detected in the migratory pathway. Quantitative analysis showed a close correlation between cell migration and the concentration of RHT-positive filaments. It was also shown that high amounts of hyaluronan were expressed in the separation phase and migration phases whereas during the colonization phase the amount of hyaluronan was clearly diminished. This study showed that the presence of primordial germ cells in each compartment of the migratory pathway was always accompanied by a high expression of hyaluronan. These results indicate that hyaluronan is an important molecule in the migratory process, providing the primordial germ cells with a hydrated environment that facilitates their movement toward the genital ridges.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Embryology, Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Mauricio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soto-Suazo
authors.forename: Paulo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Abrahamsohn
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pereda
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: San Martin
authors.forename: Helena B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Lucia O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: Telma T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Zorn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006651:Histocytochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011133:Polysaccharide-Lyases / Q000378:metabolism; D017975:Ruthenium Compounds; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D017975:Ruthenium Compounds; C031584:hexammineruthenium; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D011133:Polysaccharide-Lyases; C100002:hyaluronate lyase