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The transcription factor Tfcp2l1 promotes primordial germ cell-like cell specification of pluripotent stem cells

The transcription factor Tfcp2l1 promotes primordial germ cell-like cell specification of pluripotent stem cells

Authors :
Yuting Li
Junxiang Ji
Meng Zhang
Qian Ban
Xinbao Zhang
Xiaoxiao Wang
Yan Zhang
Shou-Dong Ye
Xiaofeng Li
Xin Wang
Source :
The Journal of Biological Chemistry
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are common ancestors of all germline cells. However, mechanistic understanding of how PGC specification occurs is limited. Here, we identified transcription factor CP2-like 1 (Tfcp2l1), an important pluripotency factor, as a pivotal factor for PGC-like cell (PGCLC) specification. High-throughput sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that Tfcp2l1 expression is gradually increased during mouse and human epiblast differentiation into PGCLCs in vivo and in vitro. Consequently, overexpression of Tfcp2l1 can enhance the specification efficiency even without inductive cytokines in mouse epiblast-like cells derived from embryonic stem cells, while knockdown of Tfcp2l1 significantly inhibits PGCLC generation. Mechanistic studies revealed that Tfcp2l1 exerts its function partially through the direct induction of PR domain zinc finger protein 14, a key PGC marker, as downregulation of the PR domain zinc finger protein 14 transcript can impair the ability of Tfcp2l1 to direct PGCLC commitment. Importantly, we finally demonstrated that the crucial role of the human homolog Tfcp2l1 in promoting PGCLC specification is conserved in human pluripotent stem cells. Together, our data uncover a novel function of Tfcp2l1 in PGCLC fate determination and facilitate a better understanding of germ cell development.

Details

ISSN :
1083351X
Volume :
297
Issue :
4
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
The Journal of biological chemistry
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....44acb44a05e35b6e07993ad30720ada1