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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Vasileios Floros, Professor Patrick Chinnery
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Resetting of the epigenome in human primordial germ cells (hPGCs) is critical for development. We show that the transcriptional program of hPGCs is distinct from that in mice, with co-expression of somatic specifiers and naive pluripotency genes TFCP2L1 and KLF4. This unique gene regulatory network, established by SOX17 and BLIMP1, drives comprehensive germline DNA demethylation by repressing DNA methylation pathways and activating TET-mediated hydroxymethylation. Base-resolution methylome analysis reveals progressive DNA demethylation to basal levels in week 5-7 in vivo hPGCs. Concurrently, hPGCs undergo chromatin reorganization, X reactivation, and imprint erasure. Despite global hypomethylation, evolutionarily young and potentially hazardous retroelements, like SVA, remain methylated. Remarkably, some loci associated with metabolic and neurological disorders are also resistant to DNA demethylation, revealing potential for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance that may have phenotypic consequences. We provide comprehensive insight on early human germline transcriptional network and epigenetic reprogramming that subsequently impacts human development and disease.
Author(s): Tang WWC, Dietmann S, Irie N, Leitch HG, Floros VI, Bradshaw CR, Hackett JA, Chinnery PF, Surani MA
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Cell
Year: 2015
Volume: 161
Issue: 6
Pages: 1453-1467
Print publication date: 04/06/2015
Online publication date: 04/06/2015
Acceptance date: 14/04/2015
Date deposited: 26/06/2015
ISSN (print): 0092-8674
ISSN (electronic): 1097-4172
Publisher: Cell Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.053
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.053
PubMed id: 26046444
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