Dynamic maternal synthesis and segregation of the germ plasm organizer, Bucky ball, in chicken oocytes and follicles.

Maternal germ plasm determines the germline in birds. Previously, we proposed the chicken-specific Bucky ball (cBuc) as a functional equivalent of the zebrafish germ plasm organizer. This study demonstrated the maternal cBuc synthesis, and verified a highly dynamic distribution of Bucky ball from oocyte nests to maturing follicles using specific antibodies. The dynamic re-localization of cBuc from the ovarian stroma to the granulosa cells, and the Balbiani structure of the oocyte was revealed. Following the accumulation of cBuc in the Balbiani body, an increased signal of chicken vasa homolog (CVH) in close contact to cBuc could be detected. Highest transcription of cBuc was recorded in follicles with diameters up to 500 µm. First RNA-interference experiments in an in-vivo follicle culture assay revealed inhibiting effects on cBuc in small follicles. These data demonstrate the maternal origin of cBuc, and underpin its role as germ plasm organizer.