Primordial germ cell migration and the Wnt signaling pathway

Cantú, Andrea VLaird, Diana J

A critical step in the development of gametes is the migration of their primordial germ cell (PGC) precursors to the forming gonads. Although the location and mode of PGC specification differs between organisms, the formation of a committed germline before organogenesis creates a need for migration through the growing embryo in order to reach the site of gonadogenesis. Failure of PGC migration can, in many cases, compromise fertility or conversely lead to the formation of teratomas in sites outside of the gonad. Here we review the mechanism of migration employed by PGCs and compare the timing and routes across several model organisms. We summarize recent work on the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in cell migration and the lineage specific function in PGCs, mainly through the ligand Wnt5a and its receptor Ror2.(AU)

1. Ror2
2. cell migration
3. Wnt signaling
4. Wnt5a
5. primordial germ cell