Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Radial Mobility and Cytotoxic Function of Retroviral Replicating Vector Transduced, Non-adherent Alloresponsive T Lymphocytes
10:01

Radial Mobility and Cytotoxic Function of Retroviral Replicating Vector Transduced, Non-adherent Alloresponsive T Lymphocytes

Published on: February 11, 2015

Altered primordial germ cell migration in the absence of transforming growth factor beta signaling via ALK5

Susana M Chuva de Sousa Lopes1, Sander van den Driesche, Rita L C Carvalho

  • 1Hubrecht Laboratory, Netherlands Institute of Developmental Biology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Developmental Biology
|July 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) does not attract or affect primordial germ cell (PGC) migration in vivo. Its absence unexpectedly facilitates PGC migration by reducing collagen I deposition around the hindgut.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Reproductive Biology

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is known to inhibit primordial germ cell (PGC) proliferation and promote their migration in vitro.
  • The in vivo effects of TGFbeta on PGC behavior remain largely unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo role of TGFbeta signaling in regulating primordial germ cell (PGC) migration and proliferation.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying TGFbeta's influence on PGCs during embryonic development.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of PGC behavior in Alk5-deficient mutant embryos lacking functional TGFbeta signaling.
  • Assessment of PGC migration towards gonadal ridges up to embryonic day 10.
  • Evaluation of collagen type I deposition surrounding the embryonic hindgut in mutant and wild-type embryos.

Main Results:

  • In vivo, TGFbeta did not act as a chemoattractant for PGCs and did not affect their proliferation during migration.
  • Absence of TGFbeta signaling in Alk5-deficient embryos significantly facilitated PGC migration out of the hindgut.
  • Reduced deposition of collagen type I around the hindgut of mutant embryos was observed, potentially decreasing PGC adhesion and aiding migration.

Conclusions:

  • TGFbeta signaling plays a distinct role in PGC migration in vivo compared to in vitro observations.
  • Reduced collagen type I deposition in the absence of TGFbeta signaling facilitates PGC migration by altering their adhesion to the hindgut environment.

More Related Videos

An Enzyme- and Serum-free Neural Stem Cell Culture Model for EMT Investigation Suited for Drug Discovery07:43

An Enzyme- and Serum-free Neural Stem Cell Culture Model for EMT Investigation Suited for Drug Discovery

Published on: August 23, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata will form...
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway02:33

Hedgehog Signaling Pathway

The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...