The control of sexual identity in theDrosophilagermline

Abstract

DEVELOPMENT 2783Whether to be male or female is a critical decision in development. Nowhere is this more important than in the germ cells, which must produce either the sperm or eggs necessary for the perpetuation of the species. How does a germ cell make this decision and how is it executed? One thing that is clear is that this process is very different in germ cells compared with other cells of the embryo. Here, we explore how sexual identity is established in the Drosophila germline, how this affects other aspects of germ cell development and what studies in Drosophila can teach us about mammalian germ cells.

discs large regulates somatic cyst cell survival and expansion in Drosophila testis

“…Following gonad coalescence during which the germ cells are surrounded by somatic mesodermal cells extending cellular processes between them, the gonad becomes compacted and spherical [2]. The development of male and female gonads already differs at the time of gonad coalescence, as male-specific somatic mesodermal cells join the posterior of the male gonad, while the equivalent cells die by apoptosis in females [2].…”

“…Following gonad coalescence during which the germ cells are surrounded by somatic mesodermal cells extending cellular processes between them, the gonad becomes compacted and spherical [2]. The development of male and female gonads already differs at the time of gonad coalescence, as male-specific somatic mesodermal cells join the posterior of the male gonad, while the equivalent cells die by apoptosis in females [2]. A hub is formed at the anterior of the late embryonic male gonad and consists of a cluster of nondividing apical mesodermal cells, which organize the anterior-most germ cells in a rosette arrangement similar to that of germline stem cells (GSCs) in the adult [2].…”

“…The development of male and female gonads already differs at the time of gonad coalescence, as male-specific somatic mesodermal cells join the posterior of the male gonad, while the equivalent cells die by apoptosis in females [2]. A hub is formed at the anterior of the late embryonic male gonad and consists of a cluster of nondividing apical mesodermal cells, which organize the anterior-most germ cells in a rosette arrangement similar to that of germline stem cells (GSCs) in the adult [2]. The first signs of testis organogenesis are detected in first instar larvae (L1) when the germ cells start to expand, whereas those of the ovaries remain quiescent [2,3].…”

New advances in stem cell biology: A perspective from gametogenesis

“…1). [5][6][7] GSCs are derived from primordial germ cells (PGCs); 8,9 however, when and how PGCs are specified as GSCs is poorly understood. Matthew Wawersik and his colleagues from Mark Van Doren's lab examined the transition from PGCs to GSCs in the testis.…”

Current Topics in Organogenesis and Gametogenesis

“…4 Abbie Casper, also from the Van Doren lab, presented a study with the goal of uncovering genes that control the normal behavior and differentiation of the germ cells. They have identified several genes that are activated specifically in the male germ line, including no child left behind (nclb; CG6751).…”