Work

parva germina, a gene involved in germ cell maintenance during male and female Drosophila gametogenesis

Year: 2005

Type: article

Abstract: We report the initial characterization of a gene, parva germina (pag), required for germ cell maintenance in both males and females. pag gonads contain a small number of germline stem cells at the onset of gametogenesis. In contrast, adult mutant gonads are either empty or have a very small number of germ cells that never develop in 16-cell cysts. Ovarioles and testes, therefore, are rudimentary, and the very few germ cells they contain are unable to differentiate into eggs or sperm. Germline stem cells are progressively depleted over time. The average number of germ cells, therefore, decreases in pag mutant ovarioles with the age of the mother, whereas the proportion of agametic germaria goes up. These observations suggest that the pag gene product is involved in germ cell maintenance in both male and female gametogenesis.

Source: Developmental Dynamics

DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.20190

Authors: Maria Giovanna Riparbelli, Yoshihiro Inoue, David M. Glover, Giuliano Callaini

Institutions: University of Siena, Kyoto Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge

Language: English

Topic: Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: Università degli Studi di Siena, Medical Research Council

OpenAlex ID: W2036610308

FWCI:

Cites: 42

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10