Dead end (dnd) is a germ plasm-specific maternal RNA discovered in zebrafish and then in other vertebrates. Dnd protein is essential for migration and motility of primordial germ cells (PGCs), only cells destined to transfer genetic information to offspring. PGCs arise far from somatic cells of developing gonads and they must migrate to their site of function. Migration of PGCs follows complex path by various developing tissues as their disruption impacts on the fertility. Recently, it has been found that dnd is not required for survival of PGCs and dnd-deficient zebrafish PGCs transdifferentiate into the somatic cells. In fish, targeting dnd causes removal of PGCs that ultimately affects sex differentiation. Sterility in various fish species can be achieved by knockdown or knockout of dnd. In our review, we have discussed dnd as a germ cell-specific molecular marker in fish, its interaction with miRNAs, and its use in aquaculture and fish conservation.

Nishiura Station South Ehime Fisheries Research Center Ehime University Uchidomari Ainan Ehime 798 4206 Japan

South Bohemian Research Center for Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice Zatisi 728 2 389 25 Vodnany Czech Republic

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