Development of primordial germ cells (PGCs) is required for reproduction. During PGC development in mammals, major epigenetic remodeling occurs, which is hypothesized to establish an epigenetic landscape for sex-specific germ cell differentiation and gametogenesis. In order to address the role of embryonic ectoderm development (EED) and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) in this process, we created an EED conditional knockout mouse and show that EED is essential for regulating the timing of sex-specific PGC differentiation in both ovaries and testes, as well as X chromosome dosage decompensation in testes. Integrating chromatin and whole genome bisulfite sequencing of epiblast and PGCs, we identified a poised repressive signature of H3K27me3/DNA methylation that we propose is established in the epiblast where EED and DNMT1 interact. Thus, EED joins DNMT1 in regulating the timing of sex-specific PGC differentiation during the critical window when the gonadal niche cells specialize into an ovary or testis.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9278986 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2022.05.012 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Aflatoxin B1 impairs the growth and development of chicken PGCs through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
January 2025
Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding Reproduction and Molecular Design for Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China. Electronic address:
Aflatoxins harm the reproductive system and gamete development in animals. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in chickens, as ancestral cells of gametes, are essential for genetic transmission, yet the impact and mechanisms of aflatoxins on them remain elusive. This study systematically investigated the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on chicken PGCs and their potential mechanisms using an in vitro culture model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMP and STRA8 act collaboratively to ensure correct mitotic-to-meiotic transition in the fetal mouse ovary.
Development
January 2025
School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
A successful mitosis-to-meiosis transition in germ cells is essential for fertility in sexually reproducing organisms. In mice and humans, it is established that expression of STRA8 is critical for meiotic onset in both sexes. Here we show that BMP signalling is also essential, not for STRA8 induction but for correct meiotic progression in female mouse fetal germ cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe piRNA protein Asz1 is essential for germ cell and gonad development in zebrafish and exhibits differential necessities in distinct types of germ granules.
PLoS Genet
January 2025
Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Faculty of Medicine, Ein- Kerem Campus, Jerusalem, Israel.
Germ cells are essential for fertility, embryogenesis, and reproduction. Germline development requires distinct types of germ granules, which contains RNA-protein (RNP) complexes, including germ plasm in embryos, piRNA granules in gonadal germ cells, and the Balbiani body (Bb) in oocytes. However, the regulation of RNP assemblies in zebrafish germline development are still poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSingle-cell RNA-seq identifies protracted mouse germline X chromosome reactivation dynamics directed by a PRC2-dependent mechanism.
Dev Cell
January 2025
King's College London, Centre for Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, London, UK; King's College London, Guy's Hospital Assisted Conception Unit, Department of Women and Children's Health, School of Life Course and Population Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, London, UK. Electronic address:
Female primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo X chromosome reactivation (XCR) during genome-wide reprogramming. XCR kinetics and dynamics are poorly understood at a molecular level. Here, we apply single-cell RNA sequencing and chromatin profiling on germ cells from F mouse embryos, performing a precise appraisal of XCR spanning from migratory-stage PGCs to gonadal germ cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh levels of histone acetylation modifications promote the formation of PGCs.
Poult Sci
January 2025
College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Molecular Design, Yangzhou 225009 Jiangsu, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009 Jiangsu, PR China. Electronic address:
This study investigates the role of histone acetylation in the differentiation of chicken embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into primordial germ cells (PGCs). Transcriptomic sequencing was used to analyze differentially expressed genes during this differentiation process, with functional annotation identifying genes associated with histone acetylation. To explore the role of acetylation, acetate and an acetyltransferase inhibitor (ANAC) were added to the ESCs induction medium.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!