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Genetics / Screens - Approaches

Genes Implicated in Primordial Germ Cell Migration

Gene name Protein product Biochemical activity Proposed role in migration Publications
Hmgcr, columbus HMGCoA Reductase 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase Required to produce an isoprenylated germ cell attractant Van Doren et al., 1998
Fpps, fpps farnesyl-diphosphate synthase Produces an isoprenoid Required (downstream of CLB) to produce an isoprenylated germ cell attractant Santos and Lehmann, 2004
qm, quemao(qm) geranylgeranyl-diphosphate synthase Produces an isoprenoid Required to (downstream of CLB) produce an isoprenylated germ cell attractant  
wun, wunen Phosphatidic acid phosphatase Dephosphorylates a lipid substrate Produces a repellant or destroys an attractant/survival factor for germ cells Zhang et al., 1996, Zhang et al., 1997, Starz-Gaiano et al., 2001
wun2, wunen2 Phosphatidic acid phosphatase Dephosphorylates a lipid substrate Required cell autonomously to receive a phospholipids survival factor Starz-Gaiano et al., 2001, Renault et al., 2004, Burnett et al., 2004, Burnett and Howard, 2003, Hanyu-Nakamura et al., 2004
Rac1, Drac1 Rac 21kD GTPase Actin polymerization at leading edge  
Rho1, Drho1 Rho 21kD GTPase Actin polymerization at leading edge Kunwar et al., 2003
Tre1, Trapped in endoderm GPCR G protein-coupled receptor Receives guidance cues to allow transepithelial migration Kunwar et al., 2003
pgc, Polar granule component Non-coding RNA Regulation of transcriptional repression Required for movement into the mesoderm/ Maintenance of germ cell fate/Not known Nakamura et al., 1996, Martinho et al., 2004
nos, nanos Nanos Translational repression Required for movement into the mesoderm/ Maintenance of germ cell fate/Not known Forbes and Lehmann, 1998, Asaoka-Taguchi et al., 1999
pum, pumilio Pum/FBF Translational repression Required for movement into the mesoderm/ Maintenance of germ cell fate/Not known Forbes and Lehmann, 1998, Asaoka-Taguchi et al., 1999
slam, slow as molasses novel Protein trafficking Basal-lateral trafficking of a guidance molecule Stein et al., 2002
Stat92E STAT Signal activated transcription factor Promotes directional migration Li et al., 2003, Li et al., 2003
Ras85D, Ras Ras Intercellular signaling Promotes directional migration Li et al., 2003
tor, Torso   Receptor tyrosine kinase Establishment/ maintenance of germ cell fate Martinho et al., 2004, Li and Li, 2003, Li et al., 2002
shg, shotgun E-cadherin Homophilic cell adhesion Gonadal mesoderm compaction Jenkins et al., 2003, Van Doren et al., 2003
foi, Fear of intimacy   Metal ion transport Gonadal mesoderm compaction Van Doren et al., 2003, Moore et al., 1998
srp, serpent   GATA transcription factor Specifies fate of midgut, allowing the germ cells to migrate through Jaglarz and Howard, 1994
hkb, huckebein   Transcription factor Specifies fate of midgut, allowing the germ cells to migrate through Jaglarz and Howard, 1994
zfh1, Zfh-1 zinc finger homeobox containing protein Transcription factor Required for migration of caudal visceral mesoderm, which the germ cells move through and specification of the lateral mesoderm Moore et al., 1998, Broihier et al., 1998
byn, brachyenteron Mouse T gene   Required for migration of caudal visceral mesoderm, which the germ cells move through  
tin, Tinman Mouse Nkx2-5,2-3 homeobox Required for specification of the lateral mesoderm/maintenance of gonadal mesoderm fate Moore et al., 1998, Broihier et al., 1998
abd-A, abdominal A (abdA)   Homeotic gene Required for specification of the gonadal mesoderm Moore et al., 1998, Broihier et al., 1998, Warrior, 1994
Abd-B, Abdominal B (abdB)   Homeotic gene Required for specification of the gonadal mesoderm Moore et al., 1998, Broihier et al., 1998, Warrior, 1994
eya, eyes absent (clift, cli)   Transcription factor and phosphatase Required for specification and maintenance of the gonadal mesoderm Boyle et al., 1997
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