Nanos homolog 3 (Nanos3)

Plays a role in the maintenance of the undifferentiated state of germ cells regulating the spermatogonia cell cycle and inducing an extended transit in G1 phase. Affects cell proliferation probably by repressing translation of certain mRNAs.

Maintains the germ cell lineage by curbing both Bax- dependent and -independent apoptotic pathways. Essential in the early stage embryo to protect the migrating primordial germ cells (PGCs) from apoptosis.