The onset of germ cell migration in the mouse embryo

Citation
R. Anderson et al., The onset of germ cell migration in the mouse embryo, MECH DEVEL, 91(1-2), 2000, pp. 61-68
Citations number
25
Categorie Soggetti
Cell & Developmental Biology
Journal title
MECHANISMS OF DEVELOPMENT
ISSN journal
09254773 → ACNP
Volume
91
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
2000
Pages
61 - 68
Database
ISI
SICI code
0925-4773(20000301)91:1-2<61:TOOGCM>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) are specified between embryonic day 6.5 (E6.5) and E7.5, when they have been visualized as an alkaline phosphatase- positive (AP+) cell population in the developing allantois. By E8.5, they a re embedded in the hind-gut epithelium. Previous experiments have suggested different sites for PGCs' origin, and it is unclear how they reach the gut epithelium. We have used transgenic mice expressing GFP under a truncated Oct4 promoter to visualize living PGCs. We find GFP+/AP+ cells in the poste rior end of the primitive streak as a dispersed population of cells activel y migrating into the allantois, and directly into the adjacent embryonic en doderm. Time-lapse analysis shows these cells to be actively migratory from the time they exit the primitive streak. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.