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Specification and epigenomic resetting of the pig germline exhibit conservation with the human lineage

Zhu, Qifan; Sang, Fei; Withey, Sarah; Tang, Walfred; Dietmann, Sabine; Klisch, Doris; Ramos-Ibeas, Priscila; Zhang, Haixin; Requena, Cristina E; Loose, Matt; Surani, M. Azim; Alberio, Ramiro

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Authors

Qifan Zhu

Fei Sang

Sarah Withey

Walfred Tang

Sabine Dietmann

Doris Klisch

Priscila Ramos-Ibeas

Haixin Zhang

Cristina E Requena

MATTHEW LOOSE matt.loose@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Developmental and Computational Biology

M. Azim Surani

Profile image of RAMIRO ALBERIO

RAMIRO ALBERIO ramiro.alberio@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Developmental Biology



Abstract

Investigations of the human germline and programming are challenging because of limited access to embryonic material. However, the pig as a model may provide insights into transcriptional network and epigenetic reprogramming applicable to both species. Here we show that, during the pre- and early migratory stages, pig primordial germ cells (PGCs) initiate large-scale epigenomic reprogramming, including DNA demethylation involving TET-mediated hydroxylation and, potentially, base excision repair (BER). There is also macroH2A1 depletion and increased H3K27me3 as well as X chromosome reactivation (XCR) in females. Concomitantly, there is dampening of glycolytic metabolism genes and re-expression of some pluripotency genes like those in preimplantation embryos. We identified evolutionarily young transposable elements and gene coding regions resistant to DNA demethylation in acutely hypomethylated gonadal PGCs, with potential for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Detailed insights into the pig germline will likely contribute significantly to advances in human germline biology, including in vitro gametogenesis.

Citation

Zhu, Q., Sang, F., Withey, S., Tang, W., Dietmann, S., Klisch, D., …Alberio, R. (2021). Specification and epigenomic resetting of the pig germline exhibit conservation with the human lineage. Cell Reports, 34(6), Article 108735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108735

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jan 19, 2021
Online Publication Date Feb 9, 2021
Publication Date Feb 9, 2021
Deposit Date Feb 1, 2021
Publicly Available Date Feb 9, 2021
Journal Cell Reports
Print ISSN 2211-1247
Publisher Cell Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 34
Issue 6
Article Number 108735
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108735
Keywords General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/5285853
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211124721000486?dgcid=rss_sd_all

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