Identification and origin of the germline stem cells as revealed by the expression of nanos‐related gene in planarians

The planarian's remarkable regenerative ability is thought to be supported by the stem cells (neoblasts) found throughout its body. Here we report the identification of a subpopulation of neoblasts, which was revealed by the expression of the nanos‐related gene of the planarian Dugesia japonica...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Development, growth & differentiation growth & differentiation, 2006-12, Vol.48 (9), p.615-628
Main Authors: Sato, Kimihiro, Shibata, Norito, Orii, Hidefumi, Amikura, Reiko, Sakurai, Takashige, Agata, Kiyokazu, Kobayashi, Satoru, Watanabe, Kenji
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amino Acid Sequence
Animals
chromatoid body
DNA-Binding Proteins - genetics
Dugesia japonica
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
Genes, Helminth
Germ Cells - metabolism
Helminth Proteins - genetics
Molecular Sequence Data
nanos
neoblast
Planarians - genetics
platyhelminthe
regeneration
Stem Cells - metabolism
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Summary:The planarian's remarkable regenerative ability is thought to be supported by the stem cells (neoblasts) found throughout its body. Here we report the identification of a subpopulation of neoblasts, which was revealed by the expression of the nanos‐related gene of the planarian Dugesia japonica, termed Djnos. Djnos‐expressing cells in the asexual planarian were distributed to the prospective ovary or testes forming region in the sexual planarian. During sexualization, Djnos‐expressing cells produce germ cells, suggesting that in the asexual state these cells were kept as germline stem cells for the oogonia and spermatogonia. Interestingly, the germline stem cells were indistinguishable from the neoblasts by morphology and X‐ray sensitivity and did not seem to contribute to the regeneration at all. Germline stem cells initially appear in the growing infant planarian, suggesting that germline stem cells are separated from somatic stem cells in the planarian. Thus, planarian neoblasts can be classified into two groups; somatic stem cells for regeneration and tissue renewal, and germline stem cells for production of germ cells during sexualization. However, Djnos‐positive cells appeared in the newly formed trunk region from the head piece, suggesting that somatic stem cells can convert to germline stem cells.
ISSN:0012-1592
1440-169X
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-169X.2006.00897.x