PUBLICATION

The RNA-binding protein Igf2bp3 is critical for embryonic and germline development in zebrafish

Authors
Vong, Y.H., Sivashanmugam, L., Leech, R., Zaucker, A., Jones, A., Sampath, K.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210703-41
Date
2021
Source
PLoS Genetics   17: e1009667 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Sampath, Karuna
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/metabolism
  • Embryonic Development/genetics
  • Embryonic Development/physiology
  • Germ Cells/metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*
  • Ribonucleoproteins/metabolism
  • Zebrafish/embryology*
  • Zebrafish/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/genetics
  • Zebrafish Proteins/metabolism*
PubMed
34214072 Full text @ PLoS Genet.
Abstract
The ability to reproduce is essential in all branches of life. In metazoans, this process is initiated by formation of the germline, a group of cells that are destined to form the future gonads, the tissue that will produce the gametes. The molecular mechanisms underlying germline formation differs between species. In zebrafish, development of the germline is dependent on the specification, migration and proliferation of progenitors called the primordial germ cells (PGCs). PGC specification is dependent on a maternally provided cytoplasmic complex of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs), the germplasm. Here, we show that the conserved RNA-binding protein (RBP), Igf2bp3, has an essential role during early embryonic development and germline development. Loss of Igf2bp3 leads to an expanded yolk syncytial layer (YSL) in early embryos, reduced germline RNA expression, and mis-regulated germline development. We show that loss of maternal Igf2bp3 function results in translational de-regulation of a Nodal reporter during the mid-blastula transition. Furthermore, maternal igf2bp3 mutants exhibit reduced expression of germplasm transcripts, defects in chemokine guidance, abnormal PGC behavior and germ cell death. Consistently, adult igf2bp3 mutants show a strong male bias. Our findings suggest that Igf2bp3 is essential for normal embryonic and germline development, and acts as a key regulator of sexual development.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping