IFITM/Mil/fragilis family proteins IFITM1 and IFITM3 play distinct roles in mouse primordial germ cell homing and repulsion.
The family of interferon-induced transmembrane protein (Ifitm/mil/fragilis) genes encodes cell surface proteins that may modulate cell adhesion and influence cell differentiation. Mouse Ifitm1 and -3, which are expressed in primordial germ cells (PGCs), are implicated to have roles in germ cell development, but the specific functions have been unclear. Our results show that Ifitm1 activity is required for PGC transit from the mesoderm into the endoderm, and that it appears to act via a repulsive mechanism, such that PGCs avoid Ifitm1-expressing tissues. In contrast, Ifitm3, which is expressed in migratory PGCs, is sufficient to confer autonomous PGC-like homing properties to somatic cells. These guidance activities are mediated by the N-terminal extracellular domain of the specific IFITM, which cannot be substituted by that of another family member. Complex homo- and/or heterotypic intercellular interactions among various IFITMs in PGCs and neighboring cells may underpin coordinated germ cell guidance in mice.
Tanaka
Satomi S
SS
Embryology Unit, Children's Medical Research Institute, Wentworthville, NSW 2145, Australia.
Yamaguchi
Yasuka L
YL
Tsoi
Bonny
B
Lickert
Heiko
H
Tam
Patrick P L
PP
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D015342:DNA Probes; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000378:metabolism*; D004707:Endoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D015342:DNA Probes; C462180:Dppa3 protein, mouse; C080082:IFITM3 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494174:Pou5f1 protein, mouse; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C462181:fragilis protein, mouse; C062010:leu-13 antigen