Genetic network regulating PGC formation in Drosophila

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Mechanisms regulating gamete formation in animals
• Project/Area Number: 25114002
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Biological Sciences
• Research Institution: University of Tsukuba (2015-2018); Okazaki Research Facilities, National Institutes of Natural Sciences (2013-2014)
• Principal Investigator: Kobayashi Satoru 筑波大学, 生命領域学際研究センター, 教授 (90225508)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 向 正則 甲南大学, 理工学部, 教授 (90281592)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): HAYASHI YOSHIKI ; SATOH MASANAO ; OHTA RYOMA
• Research Collaborator: HAYASHI MAKOTO ; ASAOKA MIHO
• Project Period (FY): 2013-06-28 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 配偶子産生 / 始原生殖細胞 / 生殖細胞 / ショウジョウバエ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been proposed that differentiation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) into eggs and sperm requires repression of somatic genes in PGCs, activation of germline genes in PGCs, and determination of PGCs sexual identity. In this study, we aim to clarify the mechanisms by which PGCs with such characteristics are formed in Drosophila. Here, we revealed the molecular mechanisms of how somatic gene expression is suppressed by maternal Nanos protein, and germline gene is activated by maternal Ovo and Mamo in PGCs. We further searched the genes working upstream and downstream of Sxl, which is required for feminization of PGCs.

Free Research Field

発生生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

動物の生殖細胞形成様式は、PGC形成に必要な分子が卵の中に局在する様式（前成的）と体細胞からの誘導によりPGCが形成される様式（後成的）の２つに大別される。本研究の大きな成果の一つとして、前成的な様式を持つショウジョウバエにおいて生殖細胞の形成に必須な ovo 遺伝子の働きが、後成的様式をもつマウスにおいても明らかになったことである。これは、動物種間で共通する生殖細胞形成機構の解明に向けた重要な一歩となる。