Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation
In Drosophila melanogaster embryos, somatic versus germline identity is the first cell fate decision. Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) orchestrates regionalized gene expression, imparting specific identity on somatic cells. ZGA begins with a minor wave that commences at nuclear cycle (NC)8 under the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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eLife Sciences Publications Ltd
2023-01-01
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| Series: | eLife |
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| Online Access: | https://elifesciences.org/articles/78188 |
| _version_ | 1828071886477590528 |
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| author | Megan M Colonnetta Paul Schedl Girish Deshpande |
| author_facet | Megan M Colonnetta Paul Schedl Girish Deshpande |
| author_sort | Megan M Colonnetta |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In Drosophila melanogaster embryos, somatic versus germline identity is the first cell fate decision. Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) orchestrates regionalized gene expression, imparting specific identity on somatic cells. ZGA begins with a minor wave that commences at nuclear cycle (NC)8 under the guidance of chromatin accessibility factors (Zelda, CLAMP, GAF), followed by the major wave during NC14. By contrast, primordial germ cell (PGC) specification requires maternally deposited and posteriorly anchored germline determinants. This is accomplished by a centrosome coordinated release and sequestration of germ plasm during the precocious cellularization of PGCs in NC10. Here, we report a novel requirement for Zelda and CLAMP during the establishment of the germline/soma distinction. When their activity is compromised, PGC determinants are not properly sequestered, and specification is disrupted. Conversely, the spreading of PGC determinants from the posterior pole adversely influences transcription in the neighboring somatic nuclei. These reciprocal aberrations can be correlated with defects in centrosome duplication/separation that are known to induce inappropriate transmission of the germ plasm. Interestingly, consistent with the ability of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling to influence specification of embryonic PGCs, reduction in the transcript levels of a BMP family ligand, decapentaplegic (dpp), is exacerbated at the posterior pole. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:59:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-36455ee220944790b7983aeb1b8ef2b6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2050-084X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:59:34Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | eLife Sciences Publications Ltd |
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| series | eLife |
| spelling | doaj.art-36455ee220944790b7983aeb1b8ef2b62023-01-04T16:33:28ZengeLife Sciences Publications LtdeLife2050-084X2023-01-011210.7554/eLife.78188Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activationMegan M Colonnetta0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5685-1670Paul Schedl1Girish Deshpande2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5200-7090Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United StatesDepartment of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United StatesDepartment of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United StatesIn Drosophila melanogaster embryos, somatic versus germline identity is the first cell fate decision. Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) orchestrates regionalized gene expression, imparting specific identity on somatic cells. ZGA begins with a minor wave that commences at nuclear cycle (NC)8 under the guidance of chromatin accessibility factors (Zelda, CLAMP, GAF), followed by the major wave during NC14. By contrast, primordial germ cell (PGC) specification requires maternally deposited and posteriorly anchored germline determinants. This is accomplished by a centrosome coordinated release and sequestration of germ plasm during the precocious cellularization of PGCs in NC10. Here, we report a novel requirement for Zelda and CLAMP during the establishment of the germline/soma distinction. When their activity is compromised, PGC determinants are not properly sequestered, and specification is disrupted. Conversely, the spreading of PGC determinants from the posterior pole adversely influences transcription in the neighboring somatic nuclei. These reciprocal aberrations can be correlated with defects in centrosome duplication/separation that are known to induce inappropriate transmission of the germ plasm. Interestingly, consistent with the ability of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling to influence specification of embryonic PGCs, reduction in the transcript levels of a BMP family ligand, decapentaplegic (dpp), is exacerbated at the posterior pole.https://elifesciences.org/articles/78188ZGAgerm cellsDrosophila melanogasterembryonic developmentstem cells |
| spellingShingle | Megan M Colonnetta Paul Schedl Girish Deshpande Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation eLife ZGA germ cells Drosophila melanogaster embryonic development stem cells |
| title | Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation |
| title_full | Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation |
| title_fullStr | Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation |
| title_short | Germline/soma distinction in Drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation |
| title_sort | germline soma distinction in drosophila embryos requires regulators of zygotic genome activation |
| topic | ZGA germ cells Drosophila melanogaster embryonic development stem cells |
| url | https://elifesciences.org/articles/78188 |
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