Primordial germ cell migration

Abstract

Primordial germ cells are migratory cells. They arise very early in embryogenesis and have a similar pattern of migration in Drosophila, Xenopus, chick and mouse. In each case the primordial germ cells associate with the developing gut from which they migrate to the gonads during organogenesis. Germ cells proliferate mitotically from the time they begin to migrate to the time they colonize the genital ridges. From the study of mouse primordial germ cells, we now know of a number of agents which affect primordial germ cell proliferation, migration and adhesion in vitro. More recently, we have studied the interactions between primordial germ cells and the cells and extracellular matrix molecules on their migratory route. By labelling germ cells in whole-mount preparations with an antibody to the germ cell marker SSEA-1, we have studied the spatial distribution of germ cells in situ using confocal microscopy. This study has revealed that germ cells link up with each other forming extensive networks during migration.