Genome defense mechanisms against retrotransposon expression in rat primordial germ cells and its relationship with their pluripotency

• Grant number: 14/19123-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Embryology
• Principal Investigator: Taiza Stumpp Teixeira
• Grantee: Taiza Stumpp Teixeira
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Germ cells are responsible for transmitting genetic and epigenetic information throughout the generations. These cells emerge from the epiblast as primordial germ cells (PGC) and undergo genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming that establish their identity and sex determination. This epigenetic reprogramming also lead to a pluripotency condition that is fundamental for the embryo formation. This pluripotency condition allows that PGC are reprogrammed into pluripotent cells in vitro (EG) that are very similar to embryonic stem cells (ES). On the other hand, this period requires a rigid control of retrotransposons expression, what is called genome defence. In rats, this hability has been shown to be more retricted than in mice. One of the main ES characteristic is the presence of bivalent epigenetic marks in the chromatin of developmental genes and retrotransposons. Thus, we suggest that these bivalent marks are a determinant factor for the derivation of EGs. It is also possible that the differences regarding the hability of rat and mouse PGC to derive EGs lay on a different state of chromatin bivalency. Thus, The aims of this study are: a) to investigate the presence of bivalent marks in developmental genes and in retrotransposons; b) to investigate the mechanisms of genome denfence against retrotransposons. Rat PGC will be isolated and submitted to Low-Cell ChIP and hMeDIP to investigate bivalent chromatin and the controle of retrotransposon expression. The expression of genome-defence genes will also be addressed. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

ROCHA-DA-SILVA, LETICIA; ARMELIN-CORREA, LUCIA; CANTAO, ISABELLE HERNANDEZ; FLAIZ FLISTER, VERENA JULIA; NUNES, MARINA; STUMPP, TAIZA. Expression of genome defence protein members in proliferating and quiescent rat male germ cells and the Nuage dynamics. PLoS One, v. 14, n. 6, JUN 10 2019. (14/00934-6, 16/07782-2, 14/19123-8)