title: Uncovering gene regulatory networks during mouse fetal germ cell development.
abstract: The commitment of germ cells to either oogenesis or spermatogenesis occurs during fetal gonad development: germ cells enter meiosis or mitotic arrest, depending on whether they reside within an ovary or a testis, respectively. Despite the critical importance of this step for sexual reproduction, gene networks underlying germ cell development have remained only partially understood. Taking advantage of the W(v) mouse model, in which gonads lack germ cells, we conducted a microarray study to identify genes expressed in fetal germ cells. In addition to distinguishing genes expressed by germ cells from those expressed by somatic cells within the developing gonads, we were able to highlight specific groups of genes expressed only in female or male germ cells. Our results provide an important resource for deciphering the molecular pathways driving proper germ cell development and sex determination and will improve our understanding of the etiology of human germ cell tumors that arise from dysregulation of germ cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Antoine D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Rolland
authors.forename: Kim P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: Kamin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Kevin W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Gaido
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koopman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000235:genetics*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D005819:Genetic Markers; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D005819:Genetic Markers; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit