Analysis of localization and reorganization of germ plasm in X enopus transgenic line with fluorescence‐labeled mitochondria

Germ plasm is found in germ‐line cells of X enopus and thought to include the determinant of primordial germ cells ( PGC s). As mitochondria is abundant in germ plasm, vital staining of mitochondria was used to analyze the movement and function of germ plasm; however, its application was limited in early cleavage embryos. We made transgenic X enopus , harboring enhanced green fluorescent protein ( EGFP ) fused to the mitochondria transport signal ( D ria‐line). Germ plasm with EGFP ‐labeled mitochondria was clearly distinguishable from the other cytoplasm, and retained mostly during one generation of germ‐line cells in D ria‐line females. Using the D ria‐line, we show that germ plasm is reorganized from near the cell membrane to the perinuclear space at S t. 9, dependent on the microtubule system.