scholarly journals Knockdown of DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4) decreases the number of germ cells in male and female chicken embryonic gonads

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 847
Author(s):  
Nana Aduma ◽  
Hiroe Izumi ◽  
Shusei Mizushima ◽  
Asato Kuroiwa

DEAD-box helicase 4 (DDX4; also known as vasa) is essential for the proper formation and maintenance of germ cells. Although DDX4 is conserved in a variety of vertebrates and invertebrates, its roles differ between species. This study investigated the function of DDX4 in chicken embryos by knocking down its expression using retroviral vectors that encoded DDX4-targeting microRNAs. DDX4 was effectively depleted invitro and invivo via this approach. Male and female gonads of DDX4-knockdown embryos contained a decreased number of primordial germ cells, indicating that DDX4 is essential to maintain a normal level of these cells in chicken embryos of both sexes. Expression of doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor 1 (DMRT1) and sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9), which are involved in testis determination and differentiation, was normal in male gonads of DDX4-knockdown embryos. In contrast, expression of cytochrome P450 family 19 subfamily A member 1 (CYP19A1), which encodes aromatase and is essential for ovary development, was significantly decreased in female gonads of DDX4-knockdown embryos. Expression of forkhead box L2 (FOXL2), which plays an important role in ovary differentiation, was also slightly reduced in DDX4-knockdown embryos, but not significantly. Based on several pieces of evidence FOXL2 was hypothesised to regulate aromatase expression. The results of this study indicate that aromatase expression is also regulated by several additional pathways.

1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 520-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Eguma ◽  
T. Soh ◽  
M. Hattori ◽  
N. Fujihara

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 900 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshiaki Nakamura ◽  
Yasuhiro Yamamoto ◽  
Fumitake Usui ◽  
Yusuke Atsumi ◽  
Yohei Ito ◽  
...  

The aim of the present study was to improve the efficiency of endogenous primordial germ cell (PGC) depletion and to increase the ratio of donor PGCs in the gonads of recipient chicken embryos. A sustained-release emulsion was prepared by emulsifying equal amounts of Ca2+- and Mg2+-free phosphate-buffered saline containing 10% busulfan solubilised in N,N-dimethylformamide and sesame oil, using a filter. Then, 75 μg per 50 μL busulfan sustained-release emulsion was injected into the yolk. To determine the depletion and repopulation of PGCs in the gonads after 6 days incubation, whole-mount immunostaining was performed. The busulfan sustained-release emulsion significantly reduced the number of endogenous PGCs compared with control (P < 0.05). Moreover, the busulfan sustained-release emulsion significantly depleted endogenous PGCs compared with other previously reported busulfan delivery systems (P < 0.05), but with less variation, suggesting that the sustained-release emulsion delivered a consistent amount of busulfan to the developing chicken embryos. The PGC transfer study showed that the proportion of donor PGCs in the gonads of busulfan sustained-release emulsion-treated embryos after 6 days incubation increased 28-fold compared with control. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that exogenous PGCs are capable of migrating and settling in gonads from which endogenous PGCs have been removed using a busulfan sustained-release emulsion.


Reproduction ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 146 (1) ◽  
pp. R37-R48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica M Stringer ◽  
Sanna Barrand ◽  
Patrick Western

In mice, epiblast cells found both the germ-line and somatic lineages in the developing embryo. These epiblast cells carry epigenetic information from both parents that is required for development and cell function in the fetus and during post-natal life. However, germ cells must establish an epigenetic program that supports totipotency and the configuration of parent-specific epigenetic states in the gametes. To achieve this, the epigenetic information inherited by the primordial germ cells at specification is erased and new epigenetic states are established during development of the male and female germ-lines. Errors in this process can lead to transmission of epimutations through the germ-line, which have the potential to affect development and disease in the parent's progeny. This review discusses epigenetic reprogramming in the germ-line and the transmission of epigenetic information to the following generation.


2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitsuru Naito ◽  
Takeo Minematsu ◽  
Takashi Harumi ◽  
Takashi Kuwana

2000 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 308-311
Author(s):  
Mitsuru NAITO ◽  
Yuko MATSUBARA ◽  
Takashi HARUMI ◽  
Takahiro TAGAMI ◽  
Michiharu SAKURAI ◽  
...  

Development ◽  
1957 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 396-403
Author(s):  
Beatrice Mintz

The pleiotropic mutant genes W and Wv are alleles of w in the mouse, and produce anaemia, absence of fur pigmentation, and sterility in homozygotes (review by Russell, 1954). Germ-cells of both male and female homozygotes are lacking or drastically reduced in numbers at birth, the genotypes being identifiable through the concurrent anaemia. The developmental basis for this sterility was therefore sought in embryonic life and has been described (Mintz & Russell, 1955, 1957). Recently, a new mutation, Wj, with comparable effects in the homozygote, arose at the same locus. Evidence that it is an allele of the W-series, but different from W or Wv, will be presented elsewhere (Russell, Lawson, & Schabtach, in preparation). In the present report, the early abnormalities characterizing WjWj will be traced and compared with those produced by the other mutant alleles, and will be considered in relation to the problems of germ-cell origin and pleiotropism. A preliminary note (Mintz, 1957) has appeared on the study.


Development ◽  
1971 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-36
Author(s):  
Martha Fearon Mims ◽  
Robert Gilmore McKinnell

The germinal crescent of head-fold and one-somite-stage chicken embryos was irradiated with multiple pulses of a microbeam ruby laser. Primordial germ cells were not detected in the gonad primordium of six laser-irradiated 5-day embryos; ten laser-irradiated embryos had varying numbers of primordial germ cells. Ten control embryos had gonad primordia populated with many primordial germ cells.


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