Human Germline: A New Research Frontier
We recently elucidated the mechanism of human primordial germ cell (hPGC) specification and resetting of the epigenome for totipotency. The regulators of hPGC specification also initiate resetting of the epigenome, leading to a comprehensive erasure of DNA methylation, erasure of imprints and X reac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2015-06-01
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| Series: | Stem Cell Reports |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213671115001265 |
| _version_ | 1819168793710034944 |
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| author | M. Azim Surani |
| author_facet | M. Azim Surani |
| author_sort | M. Azim Surani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We recently elucidated the mechanism of human primordial germ cell (hPGC) specification and resetting of the epigenome for totipotency. The regulators of hPGC specification also initiate resetting of the epigenome, leading to a comprehensive erasure of DNA methylation, erasure of imprints and X reactivation in early hPGCs in vivo. These studies reveal differences with the mouse model, which are probably due to differences in the regulation of human pluripotency, and in postimplantation development at gastrulation, which indicates the importance of non-rodent models for investigations. Within the extreme hypomethylated environment of the early human germline are loci that are resistant to DNA demethylation, with subsequent predominant expression in neural cells. These loci provide a model for studies on the mechanism of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and their response to environmental factors. Such epigenetic mechanism of inheritance could potentially provide greater phenotypic plasticity, with significant consequences for human development and disease. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T19:09:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9ce72a0b60464f1098d6f6a8f633d6d2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2213-6711 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T19:09:15Z |
| publishDate | 2015-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Stem Cell Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-9ce72a0b60464f1098d6f6a8f633d6d22022-12-21T18:15:42ZengElsevierStem Cell Reports2213-67112015-06-014695596010.1016/j.stemcr.2015.04.014Human Germline: A New Research FrontierM. Azim Surani0Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UKWe recently elucidated the mechanism of human primordial germ cell (hPGC) specification and resetting of the epigenome for totipotency. The regulators of hPGC specification also initiate resetting of the epigenome, leading to a comprehensive erasure of DNA methylation, erasure of imprints and X reactivation in early hPGCs in vivo. These studies reveal differences with the mouse model, which are probably due to differences in the regulation of human pluripotency, and in postimplantation development at gastrulation, which indicates the importance of non-rodent models for investigations. Within the extreme hypomethylated environment of the early human germline are loci that are resistant to DNA demethylation, with subsequent predominant expression in neural cells. These loci provide a model for studies on the mechanism of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and their response to environmental factors. Such epigenetic mechanism of inheritance could potentially provide greater phenotypic plasticity, with significant consequences for human development and disease.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213671115001265 |
| spellingShingle | M. Azim Surani Human Germline: A New Research Frontier Stem Cell Reports |
| title | Human Germline: A New Research Frontier |
| title_full | Human Germline: A New Research Frontier |
| title_fullStr | Human Germline: A New Research Frontier |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human Germline: A New Research Frontier |
| title_short | Human Germline: A New Research Frontier |
| title_sort | human germline a new research frontier |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213671115001265 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mazimsurani humangermlineanewresearchfrontier |