Sexual development of mouse germ cells: Nanos2 promotes the male germ cell fate by suppressing the female pathway

Development, Growth & Differentiation
Yumiko Saga

Abstract

Much research has been conducted in recent years to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the crucial developmental process of sex determination. It has now been shown that somatic sex is principally determined by the chromosomal sex and the molecular mechanisms involved in this process have become relatively well understood in both human and mouse. However, the pathways involved in the sex determination of the germ cells remain largely unknown except for the fact that the somatic cues surrounding these cells play a significant role. Moreover, which sexual pathway of the germ cells is induced or suppressed has long been a subject of some dispute. Recent findings indicate that the key molecule that influences this choice is retinoic acid. In addition, the Nanos protein has been shown to play a critical role in promoting male germ cell differentiation. In this review, the possible mechanisms underlying these events, which have been brought to light by recent findings, are summarized to provide a better and more precise understanding of our current knowledge of the sex determination and subsequent differentiation of germ cells.

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Citations

Nov 20, 2013·Chromosome Research : an International Journal on the Molecular, Supramolecular and Evolutionary Aspects of Chromosome Biology·Edwige Hiriart, André Verdel
Sep 21, 2013·Stem Cell Reports·Harry G LeitchAustin Smith
Feb 15, 2013·Molecular Reproduction and Development·Fangfang Lai, Mary Lou King
Jun 7, 2014·Frontiers in Genetics·Toshifumi Inada, Shiho Makino
Aug 31, 2017·Annual Review of Genetics·Cassy SpillerJosephine Bowles
Jun 5, 2013·Epigenetics & Chromatin·Shunsuke SuzukiMarilyn B Renfree
Oct 13, 2011·Human Reproduction Update·S C McIverE A McLaughlin
Feb 18, 2010·Journal of Cell Science·Florencia BarriosSusanna Dolci
May 8, 2021·Biology of Reproduction·Nilam SinhaRalph L Brinster

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