XGRIP2.1 is encoded by a vegetally localizing, maternal mRNA and functions in germ cell development and anteroposterior PGC positioning in Xenopus laevis.
The Xenopus germ line is derived from a specialized region in the vegetal hemisphere of the oocyte, the germ plasm. Several maternal transcripts harboured in this region have been connected to the process of germ cell specification. We identified and functionally characterized a novel vegetally localizing mRNA encoding a glutamate receptor interacting protein (GRIP) family member in Xenopus, termed XGRIP2.1. XGRIP2.1 is specifically associated with the germ plasm and PGCs throughout Xenopus embryogenesis. Morpholino-mediated knockdown and overexpression of a putative dominant negative XGRIP2.1 protein fragment reduced average PGC numbers and interfered with the proper anteroposterior positioning of PGCs at tailbud stages. Thus, our results suggest that XGRIP2.1 is required for normal PGC development and migration in Xenopus.
Tarbashevich
Katsiaryna
K
Department of Developmental Biochemistry, GZMB, University of Goettingen, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 11, 37077 Goettingen, Germany.
Koebernick
Katja
K
Pieler
Tomas
T
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002465:Cell Movement; D002470:Cell Survival; D018390:Gene Targeting; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D023121:RNA, Messenger, Stored / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C518827:GRIP2 protein, Xenopus; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D020033:Protein Isoforms; D023121:RNA, Messenger, Stored; D029867:Xenopus Proteins