To β or not to β: Canonical β-catenin signaling pathway and ovarian development

Abstract

The mammalian embryonic gonad is a unique organ primordium in that it can adopt two different developmental fates - namely, differentiate as either a testis or an ovary - with dramatic consequences for an individual. While a molecular cascade culminating in testis development is well characterized, the ovarian pathways still remain enigmatic. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling implements a conserved mechanism of regulating gene expression that is integral to development of all metazoans. In this review, we summarize the recent evidence that suggests a central role for this signaling pathway in the development of the mammalian female. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.