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Updated: Aug 5, 2025
A Standardized Approach for Multispecies Purification of Mammalian Male Germ Cells by Mechanical Tissue Dissociation and Flow Cytometry
Published on: July 12, 2017
Single-cell transcriptome analysis of male chicken germ cells reveals changes in signaling pathway-related gene
Hyeon Jeong Choi1, Kyung Min Jung1, Kyung Je Park1
1Biomodulation Major, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Research Institute of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, South Korea.
Abstract:
Mitotic arrest is necessary for the embryonic development of germ cells, and thus, it is important to understand the signaling pathways that regulate mitotic arrest. Here, we investigated the signaling pathway dynamics of male embryonic chicken germ cells during mitotic arrest by single-cell transcriptome analysis using germ-cell tracing models. We identified signaling pathways that change at the transcriptional level during chicken male germ-cell development after sex determination. We found that several components of the BMP, Notch, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways were downregulated at the mitotic-arrest stage and were reactivated 1 week after hatching when all germ cells are quiescent after entering mitotic arrest. In addition, the transcriptional levels of components of the MAPK, Hedgehog, and thyroid-hormone signaling pathways were steadily upregulated after mitotic arrest. This suggests the cooperation of multiple signaling pathways during entry into mitotic arrest and subsequent quiescence of chicken male germ cells.
Insights
Understanding signaling pathways in male germ cell development is key. This study reveals BMP, Notch, and JAK-STAT pathway downregulation during mitotic arrest in chicken germ cells, followed by reactivation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Genomics
Background:
- Mitotic arrest is crucial for embryonic germ cell development.
- Understanding the signaling pathways regulating this process is essential for developmental biology research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamics of signaling pathways in male embryonic chicken germ cells during mitotic arrest.
- To identify transcriptional changes in key signaling pathways during germ cell development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized single-cell transcriptome analysis.
- Employed germ-cell tracing models in embryonic chickens.
Main Results:
- Identified dynamic changes in signaling pathways at the transcriptional level.
- Observed downregulation of BMP, Notch, and JAK-STAT pathway components during mitotic arrest.
- Noted reactivation of these pathways post-hatching, coinciding with germ cell quiescence.
- Found steady upregulation of MAPK, Hedgehog, and thyroid-hormone signaling pathway components after mitotic arrest.
Conclusions:
- Multiple signaling pathways cooperate during the entry into mitotic arrest and subsequent quiescence of chicken male germ cells.
- Transcriptional dynamics of these pathways provide insights into germ cell development regulation.
