Universal occurrence of the vasa -related genes among metazoans and their germline expression in Hydra

Mochizuki, Kazufumi; Nishimiya-Fujisawa, Chiemi; Fujisawa, Toshitaka

doi:10.1007/s004270100156

Cited by 209 publications

(235 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…15,16 vasa expression is as well detected in i-cells and epithelial cells in addition to the gonads. 35 To date, no stem cells have been identified in Nematostella, but the expression of these markers connected to "stemness" detected in body regions outside the gonads by direct quantification of transcripts and by western blot may hint to the presence of somatic stem cells.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the piRNA pathway during development of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

et al. 2017

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PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and associated proteins comprise a conserved pathway for silencing transposons in metazoan germlines. piRNA pathway components are also expressed in multipotent somatic stem cells in various organisms. piRNA functions have been extensively explored in bilaterian model systems, however, comprehensive studies in non-bilaterian phyla remain limited. Here we investigate the piRNA pathway during the development of Nematostella vectensis, a well-established model system belonging to Cnidaria, the sister group to Bilateria. To date, no population of somatic stem cells has been identified in this organism, despite its long life-span and regenerative capacities that require a constant cell-renewal. We show that Nematostella piRNA pathway components are broadly expressed in early developmental stages, while piRNAs themselves show differential expression, suggesting specific developmental roles of distinct piRNA families. In adults, piRNA associated proteins are enriched in the germline but also expressed in somatic cells, indicating putative stem cell properties. Furthermore, we provide experimental evidence that Nematostella piRNAs cleave transposable elements as well as protein-coding genes. Our results demonstrate that somatic expression of piRNA associated proteins as well as the roles of piRNAs in transposon repression and gene regulation are likely ancestral features that evolved before the split between Cnidaria and Bilateria.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of the piRNA pathway during development of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

et al. 2017

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“…One of the best studied components of germ plasm is the gene vasa, encoded as an ATP-dependent RNA helicase of the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp)-box family, which was originally identified in Drosophila as a maternal-effect gene involved in anteriorposterior patterning and germ cell formation (Hay et al 1988;Schüpbach and Wieschaus 1986). The Drosophila vasa homologues have been isolated from diverse animals ranging from invertebrates such as hydra (Mochizuki et al 2001) to vertebrates such as fish, including zebrafish (Yoon et al 1997), rainbow trout (Yoshizaki et al 2000), tilapia and medaka (Shinomiya et al 2000), Xenopus (Komiya et al…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and sexually dimorphic expression of vasa isoforms in Dabry′s sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus), and functional analysis of vasa 3′-untranslated region

Yue

Yang

et al. 2016

Cell Tissue Res

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Germ cells are set aside from somatic cells early in embryogenesis, and are responsible for transmitting genetic information through generations. Vasa is a highly conserved germ cell marker across animal phyla, and widely used to label primordial germ cells. Dabry's sturgeon is a rare and endangered species distributed solely in the Yangtze River basin. Here, seven vasa isoforms, named Advasa1-7, were isolated and characterized in Dabry's sturgeon. RT-PCR and western blot analyses revealed that vasa mRNA and protein were mainly restricted to the testis and ovary, but exhibited sexually dimorphic expression. Cellular and subcellular localization uncovered that Advasa mRNA and protein displayed mitotic and meiotic expression in females, and mainly showed mitotic expression in males; surprisingly, they exhibited both cytoplasmic and nuclear expression in the ovarian germ cells, while showing exclusively cytoplasmic expression in the testicular germ cells. By microinjecting chimeric RNA consisting of the red fluorescent protein coding region and the Advasa 3'-untranslated region into embryos of Dabry's sturgeon, zebrafish and medaka, we demonstrated that it had the ability to visualize primordial germ cells (PGCs) in Dabry's sturgeon and zebrafish but not in medaka. It seemed that the machinery of vasa 3'UTR RNA localization was conserved between Dabry's sturgeon and ostariophysan, while possibly changed during the divergence of euteleosts and ostariophysan. Finally, Dabry's sturgeon PGCs moved on the yolk ball, and migrated toward the genital ridge via mesenchyme. Taken together, these results provide new information for vasa expression pattern and function, and lay a foundation for PGC cryopreservation and conservation of Dabry's sturgeon.

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“…Vasa is an RNA helicase of the DEAD (Asp-Glu-Ala-Asp) family and is thought to be implicated in translational control. The Drosophila vasa homolog has been identified in the hydra (Mochizuki et al, 2001), silkworm (Nakao, 1999), grasshopper (Chang et al, 2002), oyster (Fabioux et al, 2004), Xenopus , chicken , mouse (Fujiwara et al, 1994), and human (Castrillon et al, 2000). Specifically, vasa RNA has been demonstrated to be a germ cell marker in the zebrafish (Olsen et al, 1997;Yoon et al, 1997;Knaut et al, 2000;Raz, 2003), trout (Yoshizaki et al, 2000), tilapia (Kobayashi et al, 2000), and medaka (Shinomiya et al, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential expression of vasa RNA and protein during spermatogenesis and oogenesis in the gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), a bisexually and gynogenetically reproducing vertebrate

Gui

Hong

2005

Developmental Dynamics

151

132

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The RNA helicase Vasa is a germ cell marker in animals, and its homolog in vertebrates to date has been limited to bisexual reproduction. We cloned and characterized CagVasa, a Vasa homolog from the gibel carp, a fish that reproduces bisexually or gynogenetically. CagVasa possesses 14 RGG repeats and eight conserved motifs of Vasa proteins. In bisexually reproducing gibel carp, vasa is maternally supplied and its zygotic expression is restricted to gonads. By in situ hybridization on testicular sections, vasa is low in spermatogonia, high in primary spermatocytes, reduced in secondary spermatocytes, but disappears in spermatids and sperm. In contrast, vasa persists throughout oogenesis, displaying low-high-low levels from oogonia over vitellogenic oocytes to maturing oocytes. A rabbit anti-Vasa antibody (␣Vasa) was raised against the N-terminal CagVasa for fluorescent immunohistochemistry. On testicular sections, Vasa is the highest in spermatogonia, reduced in spermatocytes, low in spermatids, and absent in sperm. In the ovary, Vasa is the highest in oogonia but persists throughout oogenesis. Subcellular localization of vasa and its protein changes dynamically during oogenesis. The ␣Vasa stains putative primordial germ cells in gibel carp fry. It detects gonadal germ cells also in several other teleosts. Therefore, Cagvasa encodes a Vasa ortholog that is differentially expressed in the testis and ovary. Interestingly, the ␣Vasa in combination with a nuclear dye can differentiate critical stages of spermatogenesis and oogenesis in fish. The cross-reactivity and the ability to stain stage-specific germ cells make this antibody a useful tool to identify fish germ cell development and differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 233:872-882, 2005.

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Universal occurrence of the vasa -related genes among metazoans and their germline expression in Hydra

Cited by 209 publications

References 67 publications

Characterization of the piRNA pathway during development of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

Characterization of the piRNA pathway during development of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

Identification and sexually dimorphic expression of vasa isoforms in Dabry′s sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus), and functional analysis of vasa 3′-untranslated region

Differential expression of vasa RNA and protein during spermatogenesis and oogenesis in the gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio), a bisexually and gynogenetically reproducing vertebrate

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