Document Detail


The role of Nanos homologue in gametogenesis and blastogenesis with special reference to male germ cell formation in the colonial ascidian, Botryllus primigenus.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18793630     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
We examined the structure, expression, and possible functions of a nanos homologue during gametogenesis and blastogenesis in the colonial ascidian Botryllus primigenus. An approximately 1.3-kb-long cDNA was cloned; it was termed BpNos since the deduced amino acid sequence (288 aa) contained 2 Nanos-like CCHC zinc finger motifs. Immature and mature male germ cells expressed BpNos most strongly, while loose aggregates of hemoblasts, multipotent epithelial cells (in developing buds) and a few coelomic cells in the hemocoel and tunic vessels weakly expressed BpNos. No signals were detected from female germ cells. To determine possible functions of BpNos, B. primigenus colonies were injected with BpNos short interfering (si)RNA. Buds developed normally, showing that BpNos plays a limited role in B. primigenus blastogenesis. However, the developing buds possessed no spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testes, although oocytes developed normally. In the knockdown colonies, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay (TUNEL)-positive male germ cells were observed, suggesting that BpNos siRNA treatment might induce apoptosis. In conclusion, BpNos is a weak marker of germline precursor cells and multipotent somatic epithelial cells but a strong marker of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. A major function of BpNos may be the maintenance of male germline cells.
Authors:
Takeshi Sunanaga; Miho Satoh; Kazuo Kawamura
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2008-09-05
Journal Detail:
Title:  Developmental biology     Volume:  324     ISSN:  1095-564X     ISO Abbreviation:  Dev. Biol.     Publication Date:  2008 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-11-17     Completed Date:  2009-01-15     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0372762     Medline TA:  Dev Biol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  31-40     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan. suna@kochi-u.ac.jp
Export Citation:
APA/MLA Format     Download EndNote     Download BibTex
MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
Apoptosis
Female
Gametogenesis
Germ Cells / physiology*
Male
Molecular Sequence Data
Neovascularization, Physiologic
RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics,  physiology*
Testis / abnormalities,  physiology
Urochordata / physiology*
Zinc Fingers
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/RNA, Small Interfering; 0/RNA-Binding Proteins

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


Previous Document:  Multimarker panel in patients admitted to emergency department: a comparison with reference methods.
Next Document:  Genistein stimulates myocardial contractility in guinea pigs by different subcellular mechanisms.