Germ cells in the teleost fish medaka have an inherent feminizing effect.

Toshiya NishimuraKazuki YamadaChika FujimoriMariko KikuchiToshihiro KawasakiKellee R SiegfriedNoriyoshi SakaiMinoru Tanaka

Published in: PLoS genetics (2018)

Germ cells are the only cells that can transfer genetic materials to the next generation via the sperm or egg. However, recent analyses in teleosts revealed another essential role of germ cells: feminizing the gonads. In our study, medaka mutants in which gametogenesis was blocked at specific stages provides the novel view that the feminizing effect of germ cells occurs in parallel with other reproductive elements, such as meiosis, the sexual fate decision of germ cells, and gametogenesis. Germ cells in medaka may have a potential to feminize gonads at the moment they have developed.

Keyphrases

induced apoptosis
cell cycle arrest
endoplasmic reticulum stress
oxidative stress
mental health
signaling pathway
cell death
gene expression
decision making
pi k akt