Open AccessDazl Promotes Germ Cell Differentiation from Embryonic Stem Cells
Author(s) -
Zhuo Yu,
Ping Ji,
Jinping Cao,
Shu Zhu,
Yao Li,
Lin Zheng,
Xuejin Chen,
Lixin Feng
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of molecular cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.825
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1674-2788
pISSN - 1759-4685
DOI - 10.1093/jmcb/mjp026
Subject(s) - homeobox protein nanog , biology , embryoid body , germ cell , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell , gene knockdown , ectopic expression , cellular differentiation , germ line development , stem cell , somatic cell , genetics , cell culture , adult stem cell , gene , induced pluripotent stem cell
It has been demonstrated that through the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) germ cells can be derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells. Here, we describe a transgene expression approach to derive germ cells directly from ES cells in vitro without EB formation. Through the ectopic expression of Deleted in Azoospermia-Like (Dazl), a germ cell-specific RNA-binding protein, both motile tailed-sperm and oocytes were induced from mouse ES (mES) cells in culture. Furthermore, transient overexpression of Dazl led to suppression of Nanog but induced germ cell nuclear antigen in mES cells. Dazl knockdown resulted in reduction in the expression of germ cell markers including Stella, MVH and Prdm1. Our study indicates that Dazl is a master gene controlling germ cell differentiation and that ectopic expression of Dazl promotes the dynamic differentiation of mouse ES cells into gametes in vitro.
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