Int. J. Dev. Biol. 57: 439 - 443 (2013)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120215ty

Vol 57, Issue 5

Germes is involved in translocation of germ plasm during development of Xenopus primordial germ cells

Open Access | Short Communication | Published: 9 July 2013

Takeshi Yamaguchi*, Ayaka Taguchi, Kenji Watanabe and Hidefumi Orii*

Department of Life Science, University of Hyogo, Kamigori, Akou-gun, Hyogo, Japan

Abstract

Germes mRNA and protein are components of the germ plasm in Xenopus laevis. Previously, based on phenotypic observations of tailbud embryos expressing intact and mutant Germes, it was suggested that Germes is involved in the organization of germ plasm (Berekelya et al., 2007). Recently, to observe the germ plasm in a living embryo, we generated transgenic Xenopus expressing EGFP fused with a mitochondrial targeting signal, because germ plasm is enriched with mitochondria (Taguchi et al., 2012). Using this transgenic Xenopus, we demonstrate that Germes plays an essential role in the translocation of germ plasm from the cortex to the perinuclear region in primordial germ cells during early gastrulation.

Keywords

PGC, germline, DEADSouth, mitochondrial cloud, chromatoid body