Nucleocytoplasmic transport as a driver of mammalian gametogenesis

Adult fertility requires appropriate and coordinated instruction of somatic and germ cell activity during lineage specification, development and maturation. Driven by alterations in the complement of nuclear proteins such as transcription factors and chromatin remodelling components, these events proceed by sequential changes in gene expression in response to a myriad of signalling cues. Controlled access of proteins to the nucleus is a key driver of developmental switches. This review discusses key examples of regulated nucleocytoplasmic transport during mammalian gametogenesis and the mechanisms underpinning these transport events, focusing on examples critical for the establishment of fertility. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.