title: Molecular events and signalling pathways of male germ cell differentiation in mouse.
abstract: Germ cells, the precursors of gametes, represent a unique cell lineage that is able to differentiate into spermatozoa or oocytes depending on the chromosomal sex of the organism. In the mammalian embryonic gonad, commitment to oogenesis involves pre-meiotic DNA replication and entry into the first meiotic division; whereas, commitment to spermatogenesis involves inhibition of meiotic initiation, suppression of pluripotency, mitotic arrest and expression of specific markers that will control the development of the male germ cells. The crucial decision made by the germ line to commit to either a male or a female fate has been partially explained by genetic and ex vivo studies in mice which have implicated a complex network of regulatory genes, numerous factors and pathways. Besides the reproductive failure that may follow a deregulation of this complex network, the germ cells may, in view of their proliferative and pluripotent nature, act as precursors of potential malignant transformation and as putative targets for exogenous environmental compounds. Our review summarizes and discusses recent developments that have improved our understanding on how germ cell precursors are committed to a male or a female cell fate in the mouse gonad.
authors.affiliation: Genetic and Development Department, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UPR1142, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: Moira.Rossitto@igh.cnrs.fr.
authors.forename: Moïra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossitto
authors.affiliation: Genetic and Development Department, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UPR1142, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: Pascal.Philibert@igh.cnrs.fr.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Philibert
authors.affiliation: Genetic and Development Department, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UPR1142, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: Francis.Poulat@igh.cnrs.fr.
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poulat
authors.affiliation: Genetic and Development Department, Institute of Human Genetics, CNRS UPR1142, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: Brigitte.Boizet@igh.cnrs.fr.
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boizet-Bonhoure
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008540:Meiosis; D051379:Mice; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000502:physiology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014212:Tretinoin
keywords: Differentiation; Embryonic gonad; Germ cells; Meiosis; Mitotic arrest; Mouse; Pluripotency