Journal
CELL
Volume 161, Issue 6, Pages 1437-1452Publisher
CELL PRESS
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.05.015
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Funding
- National Natural Science of China [31230047, 31322037, 31271543]
- National Basic Research Program of China [2011CB944504, 2014CB943200, 2012CB966704, 2011CB966303]
- Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission [Z131100005213006]
- Peking University for translation research
- National Natural Science Foundation of China [31440063]
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine
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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 to 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.
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