Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
5531146 Current Opinion in Cell Biology 2017 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

During mammalian oogenesis, germ cells undergo oocyte differentiation and oocyte development to form mature oocytes that contain essential components for supporting early embryogenesis. However, only a small fraction of germ cells become mature oocytes and the mechanism of this massive germ cell loss has been unclear. Our recent studies suggested that the formation of functional oocytes and germ cell loss are interlinked by a 'nursing' process in germline cysts during oocyte differentiation in mouse fetal ovaries. 80% of the fetal germ cells sacrifice themselves by donating their cytoplasmic contents to the remaining sister germ cells that differentiate into primary oocytes with augmented developmental potential. In this review, we will summarize the process of mouse oocyte differentiation with a particular focus on organelle transport in germline cysts.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Cell Biology
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