Genetic studies of human-chimpanzee divergence using stem cell fusions.

ABSTRACT: Complete genome sequencing has identified millions of DNA changes that differ between humans and chimpanzees. Although a subset of these changes likely underlies important phenotypic differences between humans and chimpanzees, it is currently difficult to distinguish causal from incidental changes and to map specific phenotypes to particular genome locations. To facilitate further genetic study of human-chimpanzee divergence, we have generated human and chimpanzee autotetraploids and allotetraploids by fusing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) of each species. The resulting tetraploid iPSCs can be stably maintained and retain the ability to differentiate along ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm lineages. RNA sequencing identifies thousands of genes whose expression differs between humans

SUBMITTER: Song JHT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8713981 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature