Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors to the adult germline stem cells that are set aside early during embryogenesis and specified through the inheritance of the germ plasm, which contains the mRNAs and proteins that function as the germline fate determinants. In Drosophila melanogaster, formation of the PGCs requires the microtubule and actin cytoskeletal networks to actively segregate the germ plasm from the soma and physically construct the pole buds (PBs) that protrude from the posterior cortex. Of emerging importance is the central role of centrosomes in the coordination of microtubule dynamics and actin organization to promote PGC development. We previously identified a requirement for the centrosome protein Centrosomin (Cnn) in PGC formation. Cnn interacts directly with Pericentrin‐like protein (PLP) to form a centrosome scaffold structure required for pericentriolar material recruitment and organization. In this study, we identify a role for PLP at several discrete steps during PGC development. We find PLP functions in segregating the germ plasm from the soma by regulating microtubule organization and centrosome separation. These activities further contribute to promoting PB protrusion and facilitating the distribution of germ plasm in proliferating PGCs.

中文翻译：

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果蝇pericentrin样蛋白促进原始生殖细胞的形成。

原始生殖细胞（PGC）是成年种系干细胞的前体，它们在胚胎发生过程中被早期搁置，并通过种质的遗传来指定，该种质包含作为种系命运决定因素的mRNA和蛋白质。在果蝇中PGC的形成需要微管和肌动蛋白细胞骨架网络主动地将种质与体细胞分离，并物理构建从后皮质突出的极芽（PBs）。越来越重要的是中心体在协调微管动力学和肌动蛋白组织以促进PGC发育中的核心作用。我们先前确定了PGC形成中对中心体蛋白Centrosomin（Cnn）的需求。Cnn与类Pericentrin样蛋白（PLP）直接相互作用，形成了中心体周围物质募集和组织所需的中心体支架结构。在这项研究中，我们在PGC开发过程中的几个不连续步骤中确定了PLP的作用。我们发现PLP通过调节微管组织和中心体分离，在从胚体中分离出种质中。这些活性进一步促进了PB的突出并促进了增殖的PGC中种质的分布。