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Primordial germ cell specification: a context-dependent cellular differentiation event [corrected]

Ufuk Günesdogan1, Erna Magnúsdóttir2, M Azim Surani3

  • 1Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK Wellcome Trust Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK.

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences
|October 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Primordial germ cell (PGC) specification relies on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and WNT signaling. Transcriptional enhancers are key to establishing developmental competence for PGC fate.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cell Fate Determination

Background:

  • Germline development begins with primordial germ cell (PGC) specification from the postimplantation epiblast.
  • Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and WNT signaling pathways are crucial for this initial PGC specification.
  • PGCs activate a distinct cellular program involving transcription factors BLIMP1, PRDM14, and AP2γ, suppressing somatic differentiation and promoting pluripotency gene re-expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how postimplantation epiblast cells gain developmental competence for PGC fate.
  • To highlight the role of transcriptional enhancers in PGC specification and reprogramming.
  • To discuss recent advancements in understanding PGC development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on PGC specification and reprogramming.
  • Analysis of signaling pathways (BMP, WNT) involved in early germline development.
  • Focus on the function of transcriptional enhancers in cell fate decisions.

Main Results:

  • PGC specification is initiated by BMP and WNT signaling.
  • A core set of transcription factors (BLIMP1, PRDM14, AP2γ) orchestrates PGC identity.
  • Transcriptional enhancers are emerging as critical regulators of developmental competence for PGC fate.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding PGC specification is fundamental to germline development.
  • Transcriptional enhancers play a pivotal role in establishing cell fate competence.
  • Further research into enhancer function will illuminate PGC development and reprogramming.

Keywords:
developmental competenceenhancerepigenetic reprogrammingprimordial germ cellsspecification

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