Browse
Submit Data
Databases
API
Help

Dataset Information

0 Views

0 Connections

0 Citations

0 Reanalyses

0 Downloads

Omics score: 0

The Transcriptome and DNA Methylome Landscapes of Human Primordial Germ Cells

ABSTRACT: Germ cells are vital for transmitting genetic information from one generation to the next and for maintaining the continuation of species. Here, we analyze the transcriptome of human primordial germ cells (PGCs) from the migrating stage to the gonadal stage at single-cell and single-base resolutions. Human PGCs show unique transcription patterns involving the simultaneous expression of both pluripotency genes and germline-specific genes, with a subset of them displaying developmental stage-specific features. Furthermore, we analyze the DNA methylome of human PGCs and find global demethylation of their genomes. Approximately 10-11 weeks after gestation, the PGCs are nearly devoid of any DNA methylation; with only 7.8% and 6.0% of the median methylation levels in male and female PGCs, respectively. Our work paves the way toward deciphering the complex epigenetic reprogramming of the germline with the aim of restoring totipotency in fertilized oocytes.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE63818 | GEO | 2015/06/03

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA269154

REPOSITORIES: GEO

ACCESS DATA

Json Xml

Similar Datasets

DNA Damage Responses in Mouse Primordial Germ Cells [RNA-Seq]

Project description:Germ cells specified during fetal development form the foundation of the mammalian germline. These primordial germ cells (PGCs) undergo rapid proliferation, yet the germline is highly refractory to mutation accumulation compared to somatic cells. Importantly, while the presence of endogenous or exogenous DNA damage has the potential to impact PGCs, there is little known about how these cells respond to stressors. To better understand the DNA damage response (DDR) in these cells, we exposed pregnant mice to ionizing radiation (IR) at specific gestational time points and assessed the DDR in PGCs. Our results show that PGCs prior to sex determination lack a G1 cell cycle checkpoint. Additionally, the response to IR-induced DNA damage differs between female and male PGCs post-sex determination. IR of female PGCs caused uncoupling of germ cell differentiation and meiotic initiation, while male PGCs exhibited repression of piRNA metabolism and transposon de-repression.

2020-12-15 | GSE153193 | GEO

DNA Damage Responses in Mouse Primordial Germ Cells [ncRNA-Seq]

2020-12-15 | GSE153177 | GEO

Heading towards a dead end: the role of DND1 in germ line differentiation of human iPSCs

Project description:The DND microRNA-mediated repression inhibitor 1 (DND1) is a conserved RNA binding protein (RBP) and plays an important role in survival and maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the development of the male germline in zebrafish and mice. It was shown to be expressed in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), PGCs, and spermatogonia, but little is known about its specific role in pluripotency and human germline development. Here we use CRISPR/Cas mediated knockout and PGC-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation in human iPSCs to analyse if DND1 (1) plays a role in maintaining pluripotency and (2) in specification of PGCLCs. We generated several clonal lines with biallelic loss of function mutations and analysed their potential to differentiate towards PGCLCs and their gene expression on RNA and protein level via bulk RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. The generated knockout iPSCs showed no differences in pluripotency gene expression, proliferation nor trilineage differentiation potential, but yielded reduced numbers o PGCLCs compared to their parental iPSCs. RNAseq analysis in PGCLCs showed significantly reduced expression of genes associated with cellular developmental processes and cell differentiation in knockout cells, including known markers for PGCs (NANOS3, SOX17, PRDM1, EPCAM) and naïve pluripotency (TFCP2L, DNMT3L).

2021-12-10 | PXD023802 | Pride

The Xenopus Primordial Germ Cell Transcriptome: Unexpected Role for sox7 in Early PGC Development

Project description:Xenopus primordial germ cells (PGCs) are determined by the presence of maternally derived germ plasm. Germ plasm components both protect PGCs from somatic differentiation and begin a unique gene expression program. Segregation of the germline from the endodermal lineage occurs during gastrulation and PGCs subsequently initiate zygotic transcription. However, the gene-networks that operate to both preserve the potential for totipotency and promote germline differentiation are poorly understood. Here, we utilized RNA-sequencing analysis to comprehensively interrogate PGC and neighboring endoderm cell RNAs after lineage segregation. We identified 1,865 transcripts enriched in PGCs compared to endoderm cells. Over 50% of maternal, vegetally-enriched transcripts were enriched in the PGC transcriptome, including sox7. PGC-directed sox7 knockdown and over-expression studies revealed an early requirement for sox7 in proper germ plasm localization, zygotic transcription, and PGC number. We identified oct60 as the most highly expressed and enriched OCT3/4 homologue in PGCs. Lastly, we compared the Xenopus PGC transcriptome with human PGC transcripts and showed that 80% of transcripts are conserved, identifying Xenopus as a relevant model system for understanding the gene-networks necessary for human germline development.

2017-08-01 | GSE102047 | GEO

Small non-coding RNA profiling and the role of piRNA pathway genes in the protection of chicken primordial germ cells

Project description:Background: Genes, RNAs, and proteins play important roles during germline development. However, the functions of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) on germline development remain unclear in avian species. Recent high-throughput techniques have identified several classes of ncRNAs, including micro RNAs (miRNAs), small-interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). These ncRNAs are functionally important in the genome, however, the identification and annotation of ncRNAs in a genome is challenging. The aim of this study was to identify different types of small ncRNAs particularly piRNAs, and the role of piRNA pathway genes in the protection of chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs). Results: At first, we performed next-generation sequencing to identify ncRNAs in chicken PGCs, and we performed ab initio predictive analysis to identify putative piRNAs in PGCs. Then, we examined the expression of three repetitive sequence-linked piRNAs and 14 genic-transcript-linked piRNAs along with their linked genes using real-time PCR. All piRNAs and their linked genes were highly expressed in PGCs. Subsequently, we knocked down two known piRNA pathway genes of chicken, PIWI-like protein 1 (CIWI) and 2 (CILI), in PGCs using siRNAs. After knockdown of CIWI and CILI, we examined their effects on the expression of six putative piRNA-linked genes and DNA double-strand breakage in PGCs. The knockdown of CIWI and CILI upregulated chicken repetitive 1 (CR1) element and RAP2B, a member of RAS oncogene family, and increased DNA double-strand breakage in PGCs. Conclusions: Our results increase the understanding of PGC-expressed ncRNAs and the role of piRNA pathway genes in the protection of germ cells. Small ncRNA expression profiling in SSEA-1 positive PGCs, SSEA-1 negative gonadal stromal cells (GSCs), Stage X blastoderms, and chicken embryonic fibroblast (CEFs)

2015-04-27 | E-GEOD-60400 | biostudies-arrayexpress

Single-cell RNA-sequencing of bovine fetal gonads using 10x Genomics

Project description:The germ cell lineage ensures the creation of new individuals perpetuating the genetic information across generations. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are pioneers of gametes and exist transiently during development until they differentiate into oogonia in females, or spermatogonia in males. Little is known about the molecular characteristics of PGCs in cattle. By performing single-cell RNA-sequencing of bovine fetal gonads we evaluated the molecular signatures of bovine germ cells and their niche at 50 days of development. Our results indicate that PGCs and somatic cells were in very early stages of development, and that bovine and human germ cells share expression of transcriptional regulators of germline specification, and several genes coding for membrane-bound proteins. Additionally, the expression of members of Notch, Nodal/Activin, and BMP signaling cascades in the bovine fetal ovary, suggests that these pathways are involved in the interaction between germ cells and their niche. Results of this study provide insights into the mechanisms involved in the development of bovine PGCs and put in evidence similarities between the bovine and human germline.

2021-01-29 | GSE162952 | GEO

Retention of paternal epigenetic memory in the developing teleost germline [RNA-Seq]

Project description:Two waves of DNA methylation reprogramming occur during mammalian embryogenesis; during preimplantation development and during primordial germ cell (PGC) formation. However, it is currently unclear how evolutionarily conserved these processes are. Here we characterize the DNA methylomes of zebrafish PGCs at four developmental stages and unravel retention of paternal epigenetic memory, in stark contrast with the findings in mammals. Gene expression profiling of zebrafish PGCs at same developmental stages revealed that the embryonic germline is defined by a small number of markers that display strong developmental stage-specificity and that are uncoupled from DNA methylation-mediated regulation.

2019-05-19 | GSE122480 | GEO

Retention of paternal epigenetic memory in the developing teleost germline [BiSulfite-seq]

2019-07-26 | GSE123493 | GEO

Retention of paternal epigenetic memory in the developing teleost germline [alt-splicing]

2019-07-26 | GSE128986 | GEO

Retention of paternal epigenetic memory in the developing teleost germline [WGBS]

2019-07-26 | GSE122722 | GEO