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Updated: Jun 28, 2025

Slide Preparation Method to Preserve Three-dimensional Chromatin Architecture of Testicular Germ Cells
Published on: January 10, 2014
Epigenetic priming in the male germline
Yuka Kitamura1, Satoshi H Namekawa1
1Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Abstract:
Epigenetic priming presets chromatin states that allow the rapid induction of gene expression programs in response to differentiation cues. In the germline, it provides the blueprint for sexually dimorphic unidirectional differentiation. In this review, we focus on epigenetic priming in the mammalian male germline and discuss how cellular memories are regulated and inherited to the next generation. During spermatogenesis, epigenetic priming predetermines cellular memories that ensure the lifelong maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells and their subsequent commitment to meiosis and to the production of haploid sperm. The paternal chromatin state is also essential for the recovery of totipotency after fertilization and contributes to paternal epigenetic inheritance. Thus, epigenetic priming establishes stable but reversible chromatin states during spermatogenesis and enables epigenetic inheritance and reprogramming in the next generation.
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