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Involvement of Retinoic Acid and Cyp26 Family Genes in Germ Cell Differentiation
Fei Han, Zhi-Hao Liu, Feng-Rui Wu, Bao-Feng Huang, Wei-Li Zhang, Hong Zhou, De-Shou Wang*
Key Laboratory of Aquatic Organism Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Abstract: During mammalian fetal development， meiosis is initiated in female germ cells only， while male germ cells undergoing G0/G1 mitotic cell cycle arrest. Further study reveals that timing of meiotic initiation during embryonic development probably determines the direction of germ cell differentiation in mammals. In addition， the proper concentration of retinoic acid (RA) can initiate the mitosis to meiosis transition in vivo. Homeostasis of the RA level is maintained by regulation of its rate of synthesis (ADHs and RALDHs are the key enzyme for RA synthesis) and by controlling its rate of degradation (Cyp26s are the most effective enzyme for RA degradation)， which decides the direction of germ cell differentiation (spermatogonia or oogonia)， and affects the sex differentiation of mammals ultimately. This review focuses on the physiological roles of RA and Cyp26s during the process of gonadal differentiation in mammalian and trying to explore the molecular mechanism of meiosis and germ cells? differentiation in the lower vertebrate， especially fish.
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