Migratory and adhesive properties of Xenopus laevis primordial germ cells in vitro.

ABSTRACT: The directional migration of primordial germ cells (PGCs) to the site of gonad formation is an advantageous model system to study cell motility. The embryonic development of PGCs has been investigated in different animal species, including mice, zebrafish, Xenopus and Drosophila. In this study we focus on the physical properties of Xenopus laevis PGCs during their transition from the passive to the active migratory state. Pre-migratory PGCs from Xenopus laevis embryos at developmental stages 17-19 to be compared with migratory PGCs from stages 28-30 were isolated and characterized in respect to motility and adhesive properties. Using single-cell force spectroscopy, we observed a decline in adhesiveness of PGCs upon reaching the migratory state, as defined by decreased attachment to extrace

SUBMITTER: Dzementsei A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3863412 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature