Genomic Imprinting and Cancer: From Primordial Germ Cells to Somatic Cells

Genomic imprinting and cancer: from primordial germ cells to somatic cells.

Imprinted genes are a subset of genes that are expressed from only one of the parental alleles. The majority of imprinted genes have roles in growth regulation and are, therefore, potential oncogenes or tumour suppressors. Cancer is a disease of aberrant cell growth and is characterised by genetic mutations and epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation. The mechanisms whereby imprinting is mai...

Functional Concentrations of BMP4 on Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells to Primordial Germ Cells

from stem cells to germ cells and from germ cells to stem cells

germline and somatic stem cells are distinct types of stem cells that are dedicated to reproduction and somatic tissue regeneration, respectively. germline stem cells (gscs), which can self-renew and generate gametes, are unique stem cells in that they are solely dedicated to transmit genetic information from generation to generation. we developed a strategy for the establishment of germline st...

Rebuilding Pluripotency from Primordial Germ Cells

Mammalian primordial germ cells (PGCs) are unipotent progenitors of the gametes. Nonetheless, they can give rise directly to pluripotent stem cells in vitro or during teratocarcinogenesis. This conversion is inconsistent, however, and has been difficult to study. Here, we delineate requirements for efficient resetting of pluripotency in culture. We demonstrate that in defined conditions, routin...

Review of Differentiation and Proliferation of Primordial Germ Cells in Culture

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are highly specialized cell population that arises from the epiblast in vivo. There are three critical steps in the life cycle of these cells: 1-Specification 2-migration and proliferation 3-prenatal and postnatal sex specific development. Specification of germ cells in epiblast occurs due to signals secreted from extraembryonic tissues. Primordial germ cells are re...