The efficiency of Xenopus primordial germ cell migration depends on the germplasm mRNA encoding the PDZ domain protein Grip2.
A microarray analysis of vegetal pole sequences in the egg and early Xenopus laevis embryo identified Unigene Xl.14891 as a vegetally localized RNA. Analysis of the Xenopus tropicalis genome showed this Unigene to be localized near the 3' end of the Grip2 (glutamate receptor interacting protein 2) transcription unit. RACE showed that the Unigene represented the 3' UTR of Grip2 mRNA. Grip2 mRNA is present in the mitochondrial cloud of late pre-vitellogenic oocytes and then in the germplasm through oogenesis and early development until tailbud tadpole stages. Interference with Grip2 mRNA translation using two antisense morpholino oligos (MOs) impairs primordial germ cell (PGC) migration to the germinal ridges. Both MOs also inhibit swimming movements of the tailbud tadpole, known to involve glutamate receptors. We conclude that Grip2 has several functions in the embryo, including enabling efficient PGC migration.
Kirilenko
Pavel
P
Department of Biological Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
Weierud
Frida K
FK
Zorn
Aaron M
AM
Woodland
Hugh R
HR
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002465:Cell Movement; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D017931:DNA Primers; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000235:genetics; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D029867:Xenopus Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014982:Xenopus laevis
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D017931:DNA Primers; C518827:GRIP2 protein, Xenopus; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D029867:Xenopus Proteins