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Delay in primordial germ cell migration in adamts9 knockout zebrafish
Jonathan J Carver1, Yuanfa He1,2, Yong Zhu3
1Department of Biology, Howell Science Complex, East Carolina University, 1000 E. 5th Street, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
Scientific Reports
|April 21, 2021
Summary
Adamts9 protein plays a role in primordial germ cell migration in zebrafish, causing temporary delays in knockout models. Its function appears conserved but not essential in vertebrates, unlike in invertebrates.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Adamts9 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 9) is structurally conserved across species.
- Adamts9 is essential for germ cell migration in invertebrates.
- The role of Adamts9 in vertebrate germ cell migration remains unexamined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of Adamts9 in primordial germ cell (PGC) migration in zebrafish.
- To determine if Adamts9 plays a conserved role in germ cell migration in vertebrates.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish model system utilized.
- Zygotic expression of adamts9 analyzed across developmental stages.
- Primordial germ cell migration observed in wildtype and Adamts9 knockout zebrafish.
Main Results:
- Zygotic expression of adamts9 detected from germ ring stage, peaking at 3 days post-fertilization.
- Adamts9 knockout zebrafish exhibited delayed PGC migration at 15 and 24 hours post-fertilization.
- Delayed PGC migration in Adamts9 knockout zebrafish resolved by 48 hours post-fertilization.
Conclusions:
- Adamts9 exhibits a conserved function in germ cell migration between invertebrates and vertebrates.
- Adamts9 is not essential for germ cell migration in vertebrates, potentially due to compensatory mechanisms.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of metalloproteinases in vertebrate germ cell migration and gonad formation.
