Mouse germ cell development during embryogenesis.
The discrimination and differentiation of germ cells from somatic cells is a fundamental issue during development. The early specification of mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) is achieved by the induction of Blimp1, a key regulator of germ cells. Nanos3 is one of the genes activated in early PGCs and prevents apoptosis during their migration stage. Once PGCs enter the embryonic gonads, they differentiate according to the somatic sex of the organism. During this process, Nanos2 plays an important role as it promotes male germ cell pathway by suppressing the female fate. In this review, the process of germ cell development in the mouse is discussed with a particular focus on the functions of the key proteins, Blimp1, Nanos, and Dead end1.
Saga
Yumiko
Y
Division of Mammalian Development, National Institute of Genetics, Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Yata 1111, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan. ysaga@lab.nig.ac.jp
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012733:Sex Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics
D002352:Carrier Proteins; C500862:Dnd1 protein, mouse; C477341:Nanos2 protein, mouse; C477342:Nanos3 protein, mouse; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit