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Horm Metab Res 2008; 40(5): 342-346
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1073168
Review

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

New Insights into Germ Cell Tumor Formation

R. Jessberger 1
  • 1Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 07.12.2007

accepted 17.01.2008

Publication Date:
19 May 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Recent years have witnessed a number of new findings with significant implications for our understanding of the development of germ cell tumors. This communication reviews some of these recent insights with an emphasis on mechanisms that may convert a germ cell into a tumor cell. Three aspects are discussed in this review: (1) the early origin of germ cell tumors from primordial germ cells through an aberrant mitosis-to-meiosis switch; (2) errors during meiosis, which promote tumorigenic transformation of germ cells; and (3) the role of small RNAs such as oncomirs (miRNAs) and oncopirs (piRNAs) in germ cell tumor formation. Since much has been learned using a variety of organismal models, data obtained in experiments with mice, nematodes, fruit flies, and human data will be considered. Only exemplary references are included.

Key words

Notch - microRNAs - meiotic genes - germ cell tumors

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Correspondence

R. Jessberger

Institute of Physiological Chemistry

Dresden University of Technology

Fiedlerstr. 42

01307 Dresden

Germany

Phone: +49/351/458 64 46

Fax: +49/351/458 63 05

Email: rolf.jessberger@tu-dresden.de