Germ cell specification and migration in Drosophila and beyond.
The passage of an individual's genome to future generations is essential for the maintenance of species and is mediated by highly specialized cells, the germ cells. Genetic studies in a number of model organisms have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms that control specification, migration and survival of early germ cells. Focusing on Drosophila, we will discuss the mechanisms by which germ cells initially form and remain transcriptionally silent while somatic cells are transcriptionally active. We will further discuss three separate attractive and repellent guidance pathways, mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor, two lipid phosphate phosphohydrolases, and isoprenylation. We will compare and contrast these findings with those obtained in other organisms, in particular zebrafish and mice. While aspects of germ cell specification are strikingly different between these species, germ cell specific gene functions have been conserved. In particular, mechanisms that sense directional cues during germ cell migration seem to be shared between invertebrates and vertebrates.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Developmental Genetics Program, Skirball Institute and Department of Cell Biology at NYU School of Medicine, 540 First Avenue, New York, New York 10016, USA.
Ana C
AC
Santos
Ruth
R
Lehmann
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005796:Genes / Q000235:genetics; D005854:Germ Cells; D006066:Gonads / Q000196:embryology; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D010711:Phosphatidate Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D017368:Protein Prenylation / Q000502:physiology; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000378:metabolism; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; C410682:Tre1 protein, Drosophila; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D010744:Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases; D010711:Phosphatidate Phosphatase; C103065:wun protein, Drosophila