PUBLICATION
Germ Cell Specification and Migration in Drosophila and beyond
- Authors
- Santos, A.C., and Lehmann, R.
- ID
- ZDB-PUB-040726-3
- Date
- 2004
- Source
- Current biology : CB 14(14): R578-589 (Review)
- Registered Authors
- Keywords
- none
- MeSH Terms
-
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation/physiology*
- Cell Movement/physiology*
- Drosophila/embryology*
- Drosophila/genetics
- Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
- Genes/genetics
- Germ Cells*
- Gonads/embryology
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases/metabolism
- Membrane Proteins/metabolism
- Mice
- Models, Biological*
- Phosphatidate Phosphatase/metabolism
- Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/metabolism
- Protein Prenylation/physiology
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Zebrafish/embryology
- Zebrafish/genetics
- PubMed
- 15268881 Full text @ Curr. Biol.
Citation
Santos, A.C., and Lehmann, R. (2004) Germ Cell Specification and Migration in Drosophila and beyond. Current biology : CB. 14(14):R578-589.
Abstract
The passage of an individual's genome to future generations is essential for the maintenance of species and is mediated by highly specialized cells, the germ cells. Genetic studies in a number of model organisms have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms that control specification, migration and survival of early germ cells. Focusing on Drosophila, we will discuss the mechanisms by which germ cells initially form and remain transcriptionally silent while somatic cells are transcriptionally active. We will further discuss three separate attractive and repellent guidance pathways, mediated by a G-protein coupled receptor, two lipid phosphate phosphohydrolases, and isoprenylation. We will compare and contrast these findings with those obtained in other organisms, in particular zebrafish and mice. While aspects of germ cell specification are strikingly different between these species, germ cell specific gene functions have been conserved. In particular, mechanisms that sense directional cues during germ cell migration seem to be shared between invertebrates and vertebrates.
Genes / Markers
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping