Identification of KLF9 and BCL3 as transcription factors that enhance reprogramming of primordial germ cells.

ABSTRACT: Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are precursors of eggs and sperm. Although PGCs are unipotent cells in vivo, they are reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), also known as embryonic germ cells (EGCs), in the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in vitro. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for their reprogramming are not fully understood. Here we show identification of transcription factors that mediate PGC reprogramming. We selected genes encoding transcription factors or epigenetic regulatory factors whose expression was significantly different between PGCs and PSCs with in silico analysis and RT-qPCR. Among the candidate genes, over-expression (OE) of Bcl3 or Klf9 significantly enhanced PGC reprogramming. Notably, EGC formation

SUBMITTER: Otsuka K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6171932 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature