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The active migration of Drosophila primordial germ cells
1Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, Roche Research Center, Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
Abstract:
We describe our analysis of primordial germ cell migration in Drosophila wild-type and mutant embryos using high resolution microscopy and primary culture in vitro. During migratory events the germ cells form transient interactions with each other and surrounding somatic cells. Both in vivo and in vitro they extend pseudopodia and the accompanying changes in the cytoskeleton suggest that actin polymerization drives these movements. These cellular events occur from the end of the blastoderm stage and are regulated by environmental cues. We show that the vital transepithelial migration allowing exit from the gut primordium and passage into the interior of the embryo is facilitated by changes in the structure of this epithelium. Migrating germ cells extend processes in different directions. This phenomenon also occurs in primary culture where the cells move in an unoriented fashion at substratum concentration-dependent rates. In vivo this migration is oriented leading germ cells to the gonadal mesoderm. We suggest that this guidance involves stabilization of states of an intrinsic cellular oscillator resulting in cell polarization and oriented movement.
Insights
Primordial germ cell migration in Drosophila is driven by actin polymerization and guided by environmental cues. This process involves cell polarization and interactions with somatic cells for directed movement to the gonadal mesoderm.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are essential for reproduction.
- Understanding PGC migration is crucial for developmental biology.
- Drosophila melanogaster serves as a model organism for studying PGC migration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the cellular mechanisms of PGC migration in Drosophila.
- To investigate the role of cytoskeleton and environmental cues in PGC movement.
- To elucidate the guidance mechanisms directing PGCs to the gonadal mesoderm.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution microscopy of wild-type and mutant Drosophila embryos.
- Primary cell culture of PGCs in vitro.
- Analysis of cytoskeletal dynamics and cell-substrate interactions.
Main Results:
- PGC migration involves transient interactions with somatic cells and actin-driven pseudopod extension.
- Transepithelial migration out of the gut primordium is facilitated by epithelial structural changes.
- In vitro migration is unoriented and substratum-dependent, while in vivo migration is oriented towards the gonadal mesoderm.
Conclusions:
- Actin polymerization is the primary driver of PGC movement.
- Environmental cues and epithelial structure regulate PGC migration.
- An intrinsic cellular oscillator likely mediates cell polarization and oriented migration towards the gonadal mesoderm.