Tan, H, Tee, W‐W. Committing the primordial germ cell: An updated molecular perspective. WIREs Syst Biol Med. 2019; 11:e1436. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.1436
Abstract:
The germ line is a crucial cell lineage that is distinct from somatic cells, and solely responsible for the trans‐generational transmission of hereditary information in metazoan sexual reproduction. Primordial germ cells (PGCs)—the precursors to functional germ cells—are among the first cell types to be allocated in embryonic development, and this lineage commitment is a critical event in partitioning germ line and somatic tissues. Classically, mammalian PGC development has been largely informed by investigations on mouse embryos and embryonic stem cells. Recent findings from corresponding nonrodent systems, however, have indicated that murine PGC specification may not be fully archetypal. In this review, we outline the current understanding of molecular mechanisms in PGC specification, emphasizing key transcriptional events, and focus on salient differences between early human and mouse PGC commitment. Beyond these latest findings, we also contemplate the future outlook of inquiries in this field, highlighting the importance of comprehensively understanding early fate decisions that underlie the segregation of this unique lineage.
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Publisher Copyright
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research - BMRC
Grant Reference no. : 1531C00144
This research / project is supported by the Singapore National Research Foundation - Singapore National Research Foundation Fellowship
Grant Reference no. : NRF‐NRFF2016‐06