Human Germline: A New Research Frontier

摘要: We recently elucidated the mechanism of human primordial germ cell (hPGC) specification and resetting epigenome for totipotency. The regulators hPGC also initiate epigenome, leading to a comprehensive erasure DNA methylation, imprints X reactivation in early hPGCs in vivo. These studies reveal differences with mouse model, which are probably due regulation pluripotency, postimplantation development at gastrulation, indicates importance non-rodent models investigations. Within extreme hypomethylated environment germline loci that resistant demethylation, subsequent predominant expression neural cells. provide model on transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, their response environmental factors. Such inheritance could potentially greater phenotypic plasticity, significant consequences disease.