The sex determination master switch, Sex-lethal, responds to Hedgehog signaling in the<i>Drosophila</i>germline

The genetic analysis of Drosophila adult oogenesis has provided insights into the molecular mechanisms that control cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and intercellular signaling. However, little is known about the larval and pupal cellular events leading to the formation of the highly organized adult ovary, which is composed of ovarioles each containing germline cells enveloped by specialized somatic cells. We describe here the presence of ovarioles devoid of any germ cells in adult females mutant for fused, which encodes a Hedgehog signal transducing serine/threonine kinase. We show that this phenotype corresponds to a requirement for fused function for the organization of germ cells with respect to ovarian somatic cells during ovariole formation specifically during pupal stages and provide some evidence by means of clonal analysis suggesting that fused function may be necessary in the germline. hedgehog is expressed specifically in somatic terminal filament cells in pupal ovaries, and females bearing hedgehog

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Sex and hedgehog: roles of genes in the hedgehog signaling pathway in mammalian sexual differentiation

Franco

Yao

2011

Chromosome Res

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The chromosome status of the mammalian embryo initiates a multistage process of sexual development in which the bipotential reproductive system establishes itself as either male or female. These events are governed by intricate cell–cell and interorgan communication that is regulated by multiple signaling pathways. The hedgehog signaling pathway was originally identified for its key role in the development of Drosophila, but is now recognized as a critical developmental regulator in many species, including humans. In addition to its developmental roles, the hedgehog signaling pathway also modulates adult organ function, and misregulation of this pathway often leads to diseases, such as cancer. The hedgehog signaling pathway acts through its morphogenetic ligands that signal from ligand-producing cells to target cells over a specified distance. The target cells then respond in a graded manner based on the concentration of the ligands that they are exposed to. Through this unique mechanism of action, the hedgehog signaling pathway elicits cell fate determination, epithelial–mesenchymal interactions, and cellular homeostasis. Here, we review current findings on the roles of hedgehog signaling in the sexually dimorphic development of the reproductive organs with an emphasis on mammals and comparative evidence in other species.

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The sex determination master switch, Sex-lethal, responds to Hedgehog signaling in theDrosophilagermline

Cited by 19 publications

References 48 publications

Sex Reversal and Determination and Sex Control in Shrimp and Prawn

Sex Reversal and Determination and Sex Control in Shrimp and Prawn

Hedgehog signaling controls Soma‐Germen interactions during Drosophila ovarian morphogenesis

Sex and hedgehog: roles of genes in the hedgehog signaling pathway in mammalian sexual differentiation

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