A critical role for Xdazl, a germ plasm-localized RNA, in the differentiation of primordial germ cells in Xenopus

D W Houston; M L King

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A critical role for Xdazl, a germ plasm-localized RNA, in the differentiation of primordial germ cells in Xenopus

Journal article

Peer reviewed

A critical role for Xdazl, a germ plasm-localized RNA, in the differentiation of primordial germ cells in Xenopus

D W Houston and M L King

Development (Cambridge), Vol.127(3), pp.447-456

02/2000

PMID: 10631166

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Abstract

Xdazl is an RNA component of Xenopus germ plasm and encodes an RNA-binding protein that can act as a functional homologue of Drosophila boule. boule is required for entry into meiotic cell division during fly spermatogenesis. Both Xdazl and boule are related to the human DAZ and DAZL, and murine Dazl genes, which are also involved in gamete differentiation. As suggested from its germ plasm localization, we show here that Xdazl is critically involved in PGC development in Xenopus. Xdazl protein is expressed in the cytoplasm, specifically in the germ plasm, from blastula to early tailbud stages. Specific depletion of maternal Xdazl RNA results in tadpoles lacking, or severely deficient in, primordial germ cells (PGCs). In the absence of Xdazl, PGCs do not successfully migrate from the ventral to the dorsal endoderm and do not reach the dorsal mesentery. Germ plasm aggregation and intracellular movements are normal indicating that the defect occurs after PGC formation. We propose that Xdazl is required for early PGC differentiation and is indirectly necessary for the migration of PGCs through the endoderm. As an RNA-binding protein, Xdazl may regulate translation or expression of factors that mediate migration of PGCs.

Morphogenesis

Cell Differentiation

RNA-Binding Proteins - genetics

Embryo, Nonmammalian - cytology

Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Antisense - pharmacology

Deleted in Azoospermia 1 Protein

Spermatogenesis

Xenopus - genetics

Drosophila

Humans

Male

Germ Cells - physiology

Xenopus - embryology

Proteins - genetics

Animals

Oocytes - physiology

Proteins - metabolism

Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental

Oocytes - drug effects

Female

Germ Cells - cytology

Embryo, Nonmammalian - physiology

RNA-Binding Proteins - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: A critical role for Xdazl, a germ plasm-localized RNA, in the differentiation of primordial germ cells in Xenopus
Creators: D W Houston - University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Room 528, Miami, FL 33101, USA
M L King
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Development (Cambridge), Vol.127(3), pp.447-456
Publisher: England
PMID: 10631166
ISSN: 0950-1991
eISSN: 1477-9129
Grant note: GM33932 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 02/2000
Academic Unit: Biology
Record Identifier: 9983991963202771

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