Clearing the path for germ cells.
The chemokine SDF-1a and its receptor CXCR4b guide germ cell migration in zebrafish by activating downstream signaling events. Boldajipour et al. (2008) now report that a second SDF-1a receptor, CXCR7, is also required for guided migration but does not function as a signaling receptor, and instead sequesters SDF-1a. These results highlight the importance of ligand clearance during guided cell migration.
Knaut
Holger
H
Developmental Genetics Program, Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine of the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
Schier
Alexander F
AF
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015027:Zebrafish / Q000196:embryology