Analyses of Mechanisms in Early Gametogenesis

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25251034
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Morphology/Structure
• Research Institution: National Institute for Basic Biology
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Minoru 基礎生物学研究所, 生殖遺伝学研究室, 准教授 (80202175)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): SAKAI Noriyoshi 国立遺伝学研究所, 小型魚類開発研究室, 准教授 (50202081)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: gametogenesis / medaka / zebrafish / meiosis / sex determination

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For the first time in vertebrates, we have identified a switch gene for sexual fate decision in germ cells using medaka. We are also revealing the intracellular locations in the germ cells where the mechanisms regulating sexual fate decision, commitment to meiosis and cystic devision, are functioning in early gametogenesis in zebrafish. Our results suggest that RNA processing is deeply involved in these mechanisms.
Our studies have successfully developed culturing system of testis and ovary where spermatogenesis is completely recapitulated and early oogenesis proceeds. Our development of transplantation system also allows generation of spermatogenesis subcateneously.

Free Research Field

生殖生物学