A possible role of Reproductive homeobox 6 in primordial germ cell differentiation

SummaryIn a previous study, we have identified a set of conserved spermatogenic genes whose expression is restricted to testis and ovary and that are developmentally regulated. One of these genes, the transcription factor Mael, has been reported to play an essential role in mouse spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, the role of Mael in mouse oogenesis has not been defined. In order to analyse the role of Mael in mouse oogenesis, the expression of this gene was blocked during early oogenesis in mouse in vitro using RNAi technology. In addition, the role of Mael during differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) into germ cells in vitro was analysed. Results show that downregulation of Mael by a specific short interfering RNA disrupted fetal oocyte growth and differentiation in fetal ovary explants in culture and the expression of several germ-cell markers in ESC during their differentiation. These results suggest that there is an important role for Mael in early oogenesis and during germ-cell differentiation from embryonic stem cells in mouse in vitro.

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Characterization of human oocyte development and the role of mitochondrial activity in in vitro germ cell differentiation

10.17760/d20316319 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Alisha M. Bothun

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Germ Cell ◽

Oocyte Development ◽

Human Oocyte ◽

Mitochondrial Activity ◽

Germ Cell Differentiation

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Male Germ Cell Differentiation Signaling Events; Role of Phosphorylation and Ubiquitination☆

Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences ◽

10.1016/b978-0-12-801238-3.04014-9 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

G. Berruti

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Germ Cell ◽

Male Germ Cell ◽

Germ Cell Differentiation ◽

Signaling Events

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The role of the Y chromosome in male infertility

Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine ◽

10.1017/s1462399401002319 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 1-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Nabeel A. Affara

Keyword(s):

Cell Differentiation ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Germ Cell ◽

Candidate Gene ◽

Y Chromosome ◽

Comparative Data ◽

Male Germ Cell ◽

Functional Genes ◽

Germ Cell Differentiation

It was suggested by Ronald Fisher in 1931 that genes that benefit the male (including those required for spermatogenesis) would accumulate on the Y chromosome. Following the discovery that microdeletions of the Y chromosome were associated with diverse spermatogenic phenotypes, at least three intervals that contain one or more genes controlling male germ-cell differentiation have been identified in humans. These intervals, named AZFa, AZFb and AZFc, have been mapped, cloned and examined in detail for the presence of functional genes. In this review, I have discussed the genes that map to the AZF intervals and the evidence indicating which ones are the most likely candidates underlying Y-linked male infertility. In addition, I have considered the analysis of key intervals on the mouse Y chromosome, where it provides comparative data supporting the role of a candidate gene in an infertility phenotype.

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