The origin and migration of primordial germ cells in sturgeons

PLoS One. 2014 Feb 5;9(2):e86861. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0086861. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) arise elsewhere in the embryo and migrate into developing gonadal ridges during embryonic development. In several model animals, formation and migration patterns of PGCs have been studied, and it is known that these patterns vary. Sturgeons (genus Acipenser) have great potential for comparative and evolutionary studies of development. Sturgeons belong to the super class Actinoptergii, and their developmental pattern is similar to that of amphibians, although their phylogenetic position is an out-group to teleost fishes. Here, we reveal an injection technique for sturgeon eggs allowing visualization of germplasm and PGCs. Using this technique, we demonstrate that the PGCs are generated at the vegetal pole of the egg and they migrate on the yolky cell mass toward the gonadal ridge. We also provide evidence showing that PGCs are specified by inheritance of maternally supplied germplasm. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the migratory mechanism is well-conserved between sturgeon and other remotely related teleosts, such as goldfish, by a single PGCs transplantation (SPT) assay. The mode of PGCs specification in sturgeon is similar to that of anurans, but the migration pattern resembles that of teleosts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / cytology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / embryology*
  • Embryonic Development / physiology*
  • Female
  • Fishes / embryology*
  • Germ Cells / cytology
  • Germ Cells / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Models, Biological*

Grants and funding

This work was supported in part by the Grants-in-Aid from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (No. 21009325, No. 21658067, and No.24248033), the Bilateral Joint Research Project from JSPS (2013-2014FY) and Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (ASCR), program Kontakt II (No. LH13246), Czech Science Foundation (GACR) (No. P502/13/26952S), Strengthening of excellence scientific teams in USB FFPW CZ.1.07/2.3.00/20.0024, CENAKVA CZ.1.05/2.1.00/01.0024. This study was also supported by PROBRAIN (Promotion of Basic Research Activities for Innovative Biosciences). The results of the project LO1205 were obtained with a financial support from the MEYS of the CR under the NPU I program. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.