High impact information on gcl

• Posterior localization of the gcl messenger RNA (mRNA) requires the function of those genes essential for the localization of both nanos RNA, which specifies the abdomen, and the germ cell determinants [1].
• In embryos with reduced maternal gcl product, the germ cell precursors fail to form properly [1].
• Ectopic localization of gcl to the anterior pole of the embryo causes nuclei at that location to adopt characteristics of pole cell nuclei, with concurrent loss of somatic cells [2].
• We also present evidence indicating that the gcl protein associates specifically with the nuclear pores of the pole cell nuclei [2].
• In addition to its maternal expression, gcl is zygotically expressed through embryonic development [3].

Biological context of gcl

• Consistent with this phenotype, gcl protein specifically associates with those nuclei that later become the nuclei of the germ cell precursors [1].
• Examination of germline development in these mutant embryos revealed that gcl activity is required for proper pole bud formation, pole cell formation, and pole cell survival [3].
• The gcl gene consists of 14 exons and spans more than 50 kb [4].
• The predicted amino acid sequence of medaka gcl showed 92, 68 and 31% overall identity to mouse, human and Drosophila gcl respectively [5].
• In situ hybridization analysis revealed strong expression of the gcl gene in the pachytene stage spermatocytes [4].

Anatomical context of gcl

• Maximal GCL inhibitions of 94%, 77%, 85%, 87%, 83%, 95% and 89% occurred, respectively, in mouse cerebellum, hippocampus, brainstem, striatum, cortex and heart, and Drosophila [6].

Associations of gcl with chemical compounds

• We further found that injection of KA and CH impairs production of Germ cell-less (Gcl) protein, which is required for pole cell formation [7].
• Results of this study suggest that mechanisms of modulation of eukaryotic GCL enzymes may include specific binding of ligands such as pyridine dinucleotide phosphates and reversible protein phosphorylation [6].
• NADPH increased maximal GCL activity by up to 93%, whereas several other nucleotide analogues did not, thereby demonstrating specificity [6].
• The principal objective of this study was to investigate the mechanisms regulating the activity of gamma-glutamylcysteine ligase (GCL; EC 6.3.2.2), the rate limiting enzyme in glutathione biosynthesis [6].

References