<i>Dux</i> cluster duplication ensures full activation of totipotent genes.

ABSTRACT: Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) confers to the mouse two-cell (2C) embryo a unique transcriptional profile characterized by transient up-regulation of many totipotency-related genes and MERVL retrotransposons. Intriguingly, those genes are duplicated and clustered in the genome during evolution, including Dux cluster, Obox, and Zscan4 family members in mice. However, the contribution and biological significance of the totipotency-related gene duplication events in early embryo development remain poorly understood. Here, we focus on Dux cluster, the master regulator of ZGA that is necessary and sufficient for the induction of 2C-like cells and activation of totipotency-related genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). By reducing Dux gene copies

SUBMITTER: Lin M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11912362 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature