TGF-β superfamily signaling in testis formation and early male germline development. (September 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Young, Julia C.; Wakitani, Shoichi; Loveland, Kate L.
• Is Part Of: Seminars in cell & developmental biology. Volume 45(2015)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 103
• Publication Date: 2015-09
• Subjects: ALK activin receptor-like kinase -- BMPs bone morphogenetic proteins -- Co-Smads common-mediator Smads -- FGF fibroblast growth factor -- GDFs growth differentiation factors -- I-Smads inhibitory Smads -- PGCs primordial germ cells -- R-Smads receptor-regulated Smads -- SBE Smad binding element -- TGCT testicular germ cell tumour -- TGF-β-R TGF-β receptor -- TGF-β transforming growth factor-β; TGF-β superfamily -- Testis formation -- Spermatogenesis -- Activin -- Gonocyte; Cytology -- Periodicals; Developmental biology -- Periodicals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2015.10.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1084-9521

Abstract

Abstract: The TGF-β ligand superfamily contains at least 40 members, many of which are produced and act within the mammalian testis to facilitate formation of sperm. Their progressive expression at key stages and in specific cell types determines the fertility of adult males, influencing testis development and controlling germline differentiation. BMPs are essential for the interactive instructions between multiple cell types in the early embryo that drive initial specification of gamete precursors. In the nascent foetal testis, several ligands including Nodal, TGF-βs, Activins and BMPs, serve as key masculinizing switches by regulating male germline pluripotency, somatic and germline proliferation, and testicular vascularization and architecture. In postnatal life, local production of these factors determine adult testis size by regulating Sertoli cell multiplication and differentiation, in addition to specifying germline differentiation and multiplication. Because TGF-β superfamily signaling is integral to testis formation, it affects processes that underlie testicular pathologies, including testicular cancer, and its potential to contribute to subfertility is beginning to be understood.