germ line determination (2)
TRANSCRIPT
Germ Line Cells Determination
Herbert, B.Davao Medical School Foundation
Student Learning Objectives
1. You should understand that sexual reproduction requiring the fusion of gametes from male and female gonads occurs in specific organisms.
2. You should understand that the primordial germ cells that give rise to gametes arise outside of the gonads and must migrate to them.
3. You should understand that in most organisms the primordial germ cells are specified conditionally, while in some they are specified autonomously by cytoplasmic determinants in the egg.
4. You should understand that migration of the germ cells from their site of origin to the gonads is an essential part of reproductive success .
Introduction
• In all plants and some animals, somatic cells can readily form new organisms– Cnidarians, flatworms, tunicates
• In many animals, there is an early division between somatic and germ cells– Insects, roundworms, vertebrates
Definition of Terms
Fertilization•Process of union of two gametes whereby the somatic chromosome number is restored and the development of a new individual is initiated. cf. fecundation, insemination, pollination
Gonad
•A reproductive gland (as an ovary or testis) that produces gametes
Gametes•Mature male or female germ cell usually possessing a haploid chromosome set and capable of initiating formation of a new diploid individual by fusion with a gamete of the opposite sex
Definition of Terms
Gametogenesis•Processes by which the sperm and the egg are formed•Involves forming the PGCs and getting them into the genital as the gonad is forming
Germ Cells•Provide the continuity of life between generations•Mitotic ancestors of our own germ cells once resided in the gonads of reptiles, fishes, and invertebrates.
Primordial Germ Cells•Precursors of germ cells.
Definition of Terms
Germ line
•The cellular lineage of a sexually reproducing organism from which eggs and sperm are derived
•Contains the genetic material in a cellular lineage which can be passed to the next generation
Germ Line Determination
Insects, Roundworms and Vertebrates
• Possesses a clear and early separation of germ cells from somatic cell types
• Established germ line separates from the somatic cells early in development
• Germ cells do not arise from within the gonad itself but from Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs), their precursors and then migrate into the developing gonads
Several other animal phyla: cnidarians, flatworms, tunicates
• Include the entire plant kingdom and some invertebrates
• Division not well established
• Somatic cells readily become germ cells (even in adult organisms) and give rise to new individuals
The Formation of the Germ Plasm and the Determination of the PGCS
Key Concept
• All sexually reproducing organisms arise from the fusion of gametes (eggs and sperm)
• All gametes arise from the primordial germ cells
Two step process
– Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are determined in a specific location in the embryo
– PGCs migrate to the gonad and become the progenitor population for eggs and sperm
Two Methods of Germ Cell Determination
• Autonomous Specification– Egg cytoplasmic determinants– Called ‘Germ Plasm’– Nematodes, flies, frogs
• Conditional Specification– Signals from surrounding cells– Majority of sexually reproducing organisms– Including mammals
The Germ Plasm
• The determination of the PGCs is brought about by the cytoplasmic localization of specific proteins and mRNAs in certain cells of the early embryo (true for most animals except mammals)
• These cytoplasmic components are referred to as the germ plasm
Germ cell determination in Nematodes (Round worms)
Parascaris aequorum (AKA Ascaris megalocephala)
•Has only two chromosomes per haploid cell
•Cleavage plane of the first embryonic division to form an animal derived blastomere is equatorial, separating the animal half from the vegetal half of the zygote
The nematode
Remember cleavage and gastrulation:Asymmetrical divisions produce astem cell (P-lineage), “founder” cell.
Stem cell divisions are meridional
Founder cell divisions are equatorial
Germ Cell Migration
During cleavage the germ plasm rises up until it ends up in the endoderm at top and back near lip
A. Animal Half of the Blastomere
• Before the cells divide, there is a fragmentation of the ends of the chromosomes into dozens of pieces (Chromosome diminution)
• Only a portion of the original chromosome survives
Germ Cell Migration: Frogs
The endoderm belowmesdoderm are PGCs
Germ Cell Migration: Frogs
Migration anterior to gonads atendoderm-mesoderm boundary
~30 PGCs reach gonadsby fibronectin and Sdf-1
B. Vegetal Blastomere
• Chromosomes remain normal
Conditional Specification of mammalian PGCs
Conditional Specification of mammalian PGCs
• Posterior of epiblast at the junction of the primitive streak and extraembryonic ectoderm– Cells are no different from other epiblast– Specified in gastrulation before 3 layers form– Wnts from endoderm make them competent– BMPs from extraembryo ectoderm finish it
Picture the blastocyst full of yolk.....