Molecular genetics of oogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

Gonadal development requires complex differentiation programs leading to the production of functional female and male gametes. Upon fertilization, while the male germ cell contributes to the newly formed zygote only its genetic material, the female germ cell also supplies its cytoplasmic components, including fundamental molecular cues on which early embryonic development will rely. Unravelling the mechanisms employed by animal species for building up their eggs is therefore a challenging task in developmental biology. As demonstrated by the impressive body of data produced in recent years, Drosophila melanogaster is a useful model system for attempting a step by step dissection of the whole oogenesis process. Remarkable opportunities for comparative analyses are in turn expected to be provided by these studies, since it is becoming evident that conserved themes underlie oogenesis in all animal species. In this review, we focus on few key differentiation events occurring during egg chamber development in Drosophila, outlining our interest in the mechanisms leading to egg polarity establishment, transfer of information between nuclear and cytoplasmic cell compartments and germ cell apoptosis.