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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

In Ovo Intravascular Injection in Chicken Embryos
Published on: June 3, 2022
The chicken retrovirus-like gene ENS-1/ERNI and Soprano LTR are involved in primordial germ cell development
Yuya Okuzaki1,2, Akane Kawaguchi3,4, Yumi Ozaki1
1Avian Bioscience Research Center, Graduate School of Bioagricultural Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan.
Abstract:
Cultured chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) are vital for reproductive biology and genetic preservation; however, establishing stable lines from certain breeds or female embryos remains challenging. We herein demonstrated that the expression of the Galliformes-specific retrovirus-like gene ENS-1/ERNI correlated with PGC line establishment efficiency. CRISPRi targeting its LTR sequence (Soprano) down-regulated homeostasis-related gene expression. These PGCs exhibited abnormal cell-cycle arrest and reduced proliferation under DNA damage, as well as impaired colonization of the genital ridges upon transplantation. Our results suggest the involvement of Soprano LTR and ENS-1/ERNI in the development of chicken PGCs and their adaptation to the in vitro environment.
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