Spermatogonial Stem Cell and TGF-\b{eta} involved Regulation of Proliferation and Differentiation

TL;DR

This review discusses the origin, development, and regulation of spermatogonial stem cells, emphasizing the roles of TGF-beta superfamily proteins and BMP4 in controlling their proliferation and differentiation.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of the molecular mechanisms, especially TGF-beta and BMP4 pathways, involved in SSC regulation, highlighting recent insights and clarifying their roles.

Findings

TGF-beta superfamily proteins regulate SSC proliferation.

BMP4 influences SSC differentiation.

Molecular pathways controlling SSCs are complex and still being elucidated.

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is sustained by the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs are derived from primordial germ cells (PGCs) during embryonic development. The signal from the mammalian embryonic tissue is critical to the localization of PGCs and various factors and signaling pathways are involved into the regulation of these process. However, the molecules controlling these processes still need further clarification. In this concise review, the origin, development, differentiation of SSCs and regulating mechanisms throughout these processes are summarized and discussed in details. Finally, we mainly focused on elaborating the functions of TGF-\b{eta} superfamily proteins and BMP4 in regulating SSCs formation and differentiation.