To beta or not to beta: canonical beta-catenin signaling pathway and ovarian development.
The mammalian embryonic gonad is a unique organ primordium in that it can adopt two different developmental fates-namely, differentiate as either a testis or an ovary-with dramatic consequences for an individual. While a molecular cascade culminating in testis development is well characterized, the ovarian pathways still remain enigmatic. The canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling implements a conserved mechanism of regulating gene expression that is integral to development of all metazoans. In this review, we summarize the recent evidence that suggests a central role for this signaling pathway in the development of the mammalian female.
Tevosian
Sergei G
SG
Department of Genetics, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire 03755, USA. sergei.g.tevosian@dartmouth.edu
Manuylov
Nikolay L
NL
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin