Key Signaling Events for Committing Mouse Pluripotent Stem Cells to the Germline Fate

The process of germline development carries genetic information and preparatory totipotency across generations. The last decade has witnessed remarkable successes in the generation of germline cells from mouse pluripotent stem cells, especially induced germline cells with the capacity for producing...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biology of reproduction 2016-01, Vol.94 (1), p.24-24
Main Authors: Wang, Jian-Qi, Cao, Wen-Guang
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Embryonic Stem Cells
Female
Germ Cells - physiology
Male
Mice
Pluripotent Stem Cells - physiology
Pregnancy
Sex Determination Processes
Signal Transduction - physiology
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The process of germline development carries genetic information and preparatory totipotency across generations. The last decade has witnessed remarkable successes in the generation of germline cells from mouse pluripotent stem cells, especially induced germline cells with the capacity for producing viable offspring, suggesting clinical applications of induced germline cells in humans. However, to date, the culture systems for germline induction with accurate sex-specific meiosis and epigenetic reprogramming have not been well-established. In this study, we primarily focus on the mouse model to discuss key signaling events for germline induction. We review mechanisms of competent regulators on primordial germ cell induction and discuss current achievements and difficulties in inducing sex-specific germline development. Furthermore, we review the developmental identities of mouse embryonic stem cells and epiblast stem cells under certain defined culture conditions as it relates to the differentiation process of becoming germline cells.
ISSN:1529-7268
DOI:10.1095/biolreprod.115.135095