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Han Q, Ma R, Liu N. Epigenetic reprogramming in the transition from pluripotency to totipotency. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31222. [PMID: 38375873 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Mammalian development commences with the zygote, which can differentiate into both embryonic and extraembryonic tissues, a capability known as totipotency. Only the zygote and embryos around zygotic genome activation (ZGA) (two-cell embryo stage in mice and eight-cell embryo in humans) are totipotent cells. Epigenetic modifications undergo extremely extensive changes during the acquisition of totipotency and subsequent development of differentiation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Recently, the discovery of mouse two-cell embryo-like cells, human eight-cell embryo-like cells, extended pluripotent stem cells and totipotent-like stem cells with extra-embryonic developmental potential has greatly expanded our understanding of totipotency. Experiments with these in vitro models have led to insights into epigenetic changes in the reprogramming of pluri-to-totipotency, which have informed the exploration of preimplantation development. In this review, we highlight the recent findings in understanding the mechanisms of epigenetic remodeling during totipotency capture, including RNA splicing, DNA methylation, chromatin configuration, histone modifications, and nuclear organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingsheng Han
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ru Ma
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Na Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
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Liu S, Zhao S, Zhang C, Tian C, Wang D, Yu H, Li Z, Liu L, Liu N. Dppa3 Improves the Germline Competence of Pluripotent Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023:10.1007/s12015-023-10552-y. [PMID: 37171679 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10552-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chimera formation and germline competence are critical features of mouse pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). However, the factors that contribute to germline competence in the chimeras remain to be understood. METHODS To determine the role of Dppa3 in PSCs, we first constructed Dppa3 knockout (Dppa3 KO) and Dppa3 overexpression (Dppa3 OE) PSCs, respectively. Using Dppa3 KO and Dppa3 OE PSCs, we then investigated the role of Dppa3 in PSCs by evaluating the chimera generation, DNA methylation, and pluripotent state conversion. RESULTS We show that Dppa3 plays an important role in chimera formation and germline competence of mouse PSCs. PSC lines with high expression of Dppa3 show high germline competence. In contrast, Dppa3 deficiency reduces chimera formation and abrogates the germline transmission capacity of PSCs. Molecularly, Dppa3 facilitates establishing global DNA hypomethylation in PSCs. High levels of Dppa3 in PSCs reduce the expression of Dnmt3a/b and impede Uhrf1-Dnmt1 complex binding to DNA replication forks, maintaining DNA hypomethylation. Additionally, Dppa3 facilitates two-cell-stage (2C) genes expression and promotes conversion to a 2C-like state. CONCLUSION These data show that Dppa3 is involved in maintaining DNA hypomethylation homeostasis and is required for high chimera formation and germline competence of PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Shuang Zhao
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chuanyu Zhang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Chenglei Tian
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Dan Wang
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Huaxin Yu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Zongjin Li
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Na Liu
- School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
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Latham KE. Preimplantation embryo gene expression: 56 years of discovery, and counting. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:169-200. [PMID: 36812478 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
The biology of preimplantation embryo gene expression began 56 years ago with studies of the effects of protein synthesis inhibition and discovery of changes in embryo metabolism and related enzyme activities. The field accelerated rapidly with the emergence of embryo culture systems and progressively evolving methodologies that have allowed early questions to be re-addressed in new ways and in greater detail, leading to deeper understanding and progressively more targeted studies to discover ever more fine details. The advent of technologies for assisted reproduction, preimplantation genetic testing, stem cell manipulations, artificial gametes, and genetic manipulation, particularly in experimental animal models and livestock species, has further elevated the desire to understand preimplantation development in greater detail. The questions that drove enquiry from the earliest years of the field remain drivers of enquiry today. Our understanding of the crucial roles of oocyte-expressed RNA and proteins in early embryos, temporal patterns of embryonic gene expression, and mechanisms controlling embryonic gene expression has increased exponentially over the past five and a half decades as new analytical methods emerged. This review combines early and recent discoveries on gene regulation and expression in mature oocytes and preimplantation stage embryos to provide a comprehensive understanding of preimplantation embryo biology and to anticipate exciting future advances that will build upon and extend what has been discovered so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith E Latham
- Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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