Ovarian cystocytes can repopulate the embryonic germ line and produce functional gametes.
Ovarian tumors are formed either in the absence of Bam (bag-of-marbles) in germ-line cells or the overexpression of Dpp (decapentaplegic) in ovarian somatic cells. These tumor cells contain spectrosomes characteristic of ovarian germ-line stem cells and the immediate descendents called cystoblasts. We show that pole cells can successfully populate the gonad after transplantation to the dorsal mesoderm of host embryos following germ-band extension. By using this approach, we demonstrate that bam- cells can populate the gonad and become established as germ-line stem cells. Tumor cells containing the wild-type bam gene under heat shock transcriptional control are able to produce functional oocytes. Thus, stem cells/cystoblasts of the adult ovary are capable of forming stem cells in the embryonic ovary and recapitulating the development of the female germ line.
Niki
Yuzo
Y
Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
Mahowald
Anthony P
AP
D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018390:Gene Targeting; D017344:Genes, Insect; D007763:Lac Operon; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C091674:bam protein, Drosophila; C091675:osk protein, Drosophila