AUTHOR=Hsu Chen-wei , Chung Bon-chu 

TITLE=Evolution, Expression, and Function of Gonadal Somatic Cell-Derived Factor

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2021.684352

DOI=10.3389/fcell.2021.684352

ISSN=2296-634X

ABSTRACT=<p>Fish gonads develop in very diverse ways different from mammalian gonads. This diversity is contributed by species-specific factors. Gonadal somatic cell-derived factor (Gsdf) is one such factor. The <italic>gsdf</italic> gene exists mostly in teleosts and is absent in many tetrapods, probably as a result of two gene losses during evolution. The <italic>gsdf</italic> transcript is expressed mainly in gonadal somatic cells, including Sertoli cell in testis and granulosa cells in ovary; however, these gonadal somatic cells can surround many types of germ cells at different developmental stages depending on the fish species. The function of <italic>gsdf</italic> is also variable. It is involved in germ cell proliferation, testicular formation, ovarian development and even male sex determination. Here, we summarize the common and diverse expression, regulation and functions of <italic>gsdf</italic> among different fish species with aspect of evolution.</p>