Primordial Germ-Cell Development and Epigenetic Reprogramming in Mammals - Current Topics in Developmental Biology - page 147

CHAPTER FIVE

Primordial Germ-Cell
Development and Epigenetic
Reprogramming in Mammals

, † , ‡ ,1
* Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UKGurdon Institute of Cancer and Developmental Biology, University of
Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
† Department of Physiology, Development, and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United
Kingdom
‡ Wellcome Trust-Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, United Kingdom
1 Corresponding author: e-mail address: [e-mail]

, † , ‡ , Walfred W.C. Tang * , † , M. Azim Surani *

Harry G. Leitch *

Contents
1. Embryology 150

2. PGC Specification 153

2.1 Induction of PGCs from epiblast 153

2.2 Specification genes 154

2.3 Pluripotency-associated genes and specification 157

2.4 Other early PGC factors 160

3. Regulation of Germ-Cell Survival and Migration 161

4. Epigenetic Reprogramming 163

4.1 Early 164

4.2 Late 166

5. PGC Culture and Embryonic Germ-Cell Derivation 168

5.1 Requirement for feeders and serum 169

5.2 Growth factors 170

5.3 Signaling pathways 173

5.4 EG cells 173

6. Conclusion 175

Acknowledgments 176

References 176

Abstract
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the embryonic precursors of the gametes and represent
the founder cells of the germline. Specification of PGCs is a critical divergent point dur-
ing embryogenesis. Whereas the somatic lineages will ultimately perish, cells of the
germline have the potential to form a new individual and hence progress to the next
generation. It is therefore critical that the genome emerges intact and carrying the
appropriate epigenetic information during its passage through the germline. To ensure