Mouse genetics provides insight into folliculogenesis, fertilization and early embryonic development

摘要: Summary Female germ cells are programmed for success. Using devel-opmentally controlled, oocyte-specific genes, they ensure correctprenatal sexual identity, growth and survival during folliculogen-esis, successful fertilization activation of the embryonicgenome. Mouse genetics have provided unique insights into thefunction multiple genes involved in these processes willserve as a springboard future research. In particular, it will beuseful to further characterize role BMP4 OCT4 theestablishment female cell lineage mechanismsby which DAZL1 preserves perinatally. Whilesignificant advances been made identifying factors that affect folliculogenesis (e.g. FIGa, GDF9,BMP15, CX37) meiotic maturation MPF, MOS MAPK),clearly additional involved. The near completion thehuman mouse genome projects offers promise ofaccelerated gene discovery. addition ofindividual use high throughput genomic screensholds forth prospect defining novel genetic pathways (e.g.downstream targets FIGa). Particularly exciting avenues ofresearch include evolving investigations maternaleffect Spindlin, Mater, Hsf1) early embryogenesis.Induced null mutations allelic series thatresult phenotypes affecting development andfolliculogenesis continue advance boundaries ourknowledge. Current technologies emphasize ap-proaches model systems should rapidly translate betterunderstanding human biology.