Translational control in the germ line

Germ cells are unique cells with the essential function of transmitting geneticinformation to the progeny. They are highly specialized cells that maintain some ofthe properties of a pluripotent cell being able to reprogram to totipotency togenerate a zygote. Given these unique functions, they often use unusual strategies tocontrol their development. One such property is the extensive use of translationalcontrol to regulate gene expression during transcriptionally quiescent periods. Toaccomplish this, they have developed elaborate mechanisms of mRNA repression, transport, and translation that are highly conserved throughout evolution.Conserved families of RNA binding proteins mediate these regulations. In thischapter, we will review some of the components of these regulatory circuits. We willbriefly describe some of these components and their function during gametogenesisin model organisms. We will then review the mechanisms of regulation oftranslation during mammalian oogenesis and spermatogenesis and the RNA bindingproteins involved.