Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in mammals migrate from the hindgut at embryonic day 9 and enter the developing gonads by embryonic day 11.5. This migration is dependent upon tracts of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins found outside the cells. Interaction of these proteins occurs with integral membrane receptors known as integrins, found in the plasma membrane of PGCs. Integrin receptors interact either with an RGD (i.e., arginine-glycine-aspartic acid) sequence found on the ECM protein or by a non-RGD recognition interaction.

Question

To elucidate the type of interactions, an experimental setup is shown. PGCs are placed in a Petri dish, a glass coverslip is added to the bottom of the dish with or without an ECM protein, and the cell is cultured for 12 hours. The effects of an RGD competitive inhibitor peptide are shown.
Given the data, what is the best interpretation of the results? Select ALL that apply.

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a
PGCs can migrate along tracts of fibronectin in an RGD-dependent manner

b
PGCs can migrate along tracts of fibronectin in a non-RGD-dependent manner

c
PGCs can migrate along tracts of laminin in an RGD-dependent manner

d
PGCs can migrate along tracts of laminin in a non-RGD-dependent manner

e
PGCs cannot migrate on either fibronectin or laminin

Answer 1

a) PGCs can migrate along tracts of fibronectin in an RGD-dependent manner
c) PGCs can migrate along tracts of laminin in an RGD-dependent manner