CaltechAUTHORS
Published March 2005 | Version public
Journal Article Metadata-only

parva germina, a gene involved in germ cell maintenance during male and female Drosophila gametogenesis

Creators

  • 1. ROR icon University of Siena
  • 2. ROR icon Kyoto Institute of Technology
  • 3. ROR icon University of Cambridge

Abstract

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.

Additional Information

© 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Received 30 March 2004; Revised 1 July 2004; Accepted 1 July 2004. We thank A.T. Carpenter for cytological mapping of the pag locus, critical reading of the manuscript, and helpful comments. We also thank P. Lasko for kindly providing the anti‐Vasa antibody. D.M.G. was funded by a Medical Research Council grant and M.G.R. received a grant from PAR (University of Siena).

Additional details

Identifiers

Eprint ID
105901
Resolver ID
CaltechAUTHORS:20201007-150756148

Funding

Medical Research Council (UK)
University of Sienna

Dates

Created
2020-10-07
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Updated
2021-11-16
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