Zebrafish dazl regulates cystogenesis and germline stem cell specification during the primordial germ cell to germline stem cell transition

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.187773
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15T15:30:18Z
• Authors: Sylvain Bertho; Mara Clapp; Torsten U. Banisch; Jan Bandemer; Erez Raz; Florence L. Marlow
• Keywords: Gamete

Fertility and gamete reserves are maintained by asymmetric divisions of the germline stem cells to produce new or daughters that differentiate as gametes. Before entering meiosis, differentiating germ (GCs) sexual animals typically undergo cystogenesis. This evolutionarily conserved process involves synchronous incomplete mitotic a GC daughter (cystoblast) generate sister connected intercellular bridges facilitate exchange materials support rapid expansion progenitor population. Here, we investigated cystogenesis in zebrafish found early GCs ring canals, show Deleted azoospermia-like (Dazl), vertebrate RNA-binding protein (Rbp), is regulator this process. Analysis dazl mutants revealed essential role Dazl regulating cytokinesis, cyst formation cell specification before meiotic transition. Accordingly, mutant form defective ultimately remain individual fail meiocytes. In addition promoting cystoblast entry, required for establishment fertility.