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parva germina , a gene involved in germ cell maintenance during male and female Drosophila gametogenesis
Author(s) -
Riparbelli Maria Giovanna,
Inoue Yoshihiro,
Glover David M.,
Callaini Giuliano
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.20190
Subject(s) - gametogenesis , biology , germline , germ cell , oogenesis , germ line development , mutant , sperm , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , gene , stem cell , oocyte , embryogenesis
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. Developmental Dynamics 232:835–844, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.