Germ cell formation from embryonic stem cells and the use of somatic cell nuclei in oocytes

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have remarkable properties of pluripotency and self‐renewal, along with the retention of chromosomal integrity. Germ cells function as a kind of “transgenerational stem cells,” transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next. The formation of putative pri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 2011-03, Vol.1221 (1), p.18-26
Main Authors: Pelosi, Emanuele, Forabosco, Antonino, Schlessinger, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Cell Nucleus - genetics
Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology
Embryonic Stem Cells - metabolism
Embryos
ES cells
Female
germ cells
Germ Cells - cytology
Germ Cells - metabolism
Humans
Male
Mice
Nuclear Transfer Techniques
Oocytes - cytology
Oocytes - metabolism
somatic cell nuclear transfer
Stem cells
therapeutic cloning
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Summary:Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have remarkable properties of pluripotency and self‐renewal, along with the retention of chromosomal integrity. Germ cells function as a kind of “transgenerational stem cells,” transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next. The formation of putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) and germ cells from mouse and human ESCs (hESCs) has, in fact, been shown, and the apparent derivation of functional mouse male gametes has also been described. Additionally, investigators have successfully reprogrammed somatic nuclei into a pluripotent state by inserting them into ESCs or oocytes. This would enable the generation of ESCs genetically identical to the somatic cell donor and their use in cell therapy. However, these methodologies are still inefficient and their mechanisms poorly understood. Until full comprehension of these processes is obtained, clinical applications remain remote. Nevertheless, they represent promising tools in the future, enhancing methods of therapeutic cloning and infertility treatment.
ISSN:0077-8923
1749-6632
DOI:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.05982.x