Abstract
The DND microRNA-mediated repression inhibitor 1 (DND1) is a conserved RNA binding protein (RBP) that plays important roles in survival and fate maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and in the development of the male germline in zebrafish and mice. Dead end was shown to be expressed in human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), PGCs and spermatogonia, but little is known about its specific role concerning pluripotency and human germline development. Here we use CRISPR/Cas mediated knockout and PGC-like cell (PGCLC) differentiation in human iPSCs to determine if DND1 (1) plays a role in maintaining pluripotency and (2) in specification of PGCLCs. We generated several clonal lines carrying biallelic loss of function mutations and analysed their differentiation potential towards PGCLCs and their gene expression on RNA and protein levels via RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry. The generated knockout iPSCs showed no differences in pluripotency gene expression, proliferation, or trilineage differentiation potential, but yielded reduced numbers of PGCLCs as compared with their parental iPSCs. RNAseq analysis of mutated PGCLCs revealed that the overall gene expression remains like non-mutated PGCLCs. However, reduced expression of genes associated with PGC differentiation and maintenance (e.g., NANOS3, PRDM1) was observed. Together, we show that DND1 iPSCs maintain their pluripotency but exhibit a reduced differentiation to PGCLCs. This versatile model will allow further analysis of the specific mechanisms by which DND1 influences PGC differentiation and maintenance.
Highlights
IntroductionThe DND microRNA-mediated repression inhibitor 1 (DND1) is the human homolog of dead end (dnd), a conserved RNA binding protein (RBP) that plays an important role in survival and maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the development of the male germline [1,2,3]
The DND microRNA-mediated repression inhibitor 1 (DND1) is the human homolog of dead end, a conserved RNA binding protein (RBP) that plays an important role in survival and maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the development of the male germline [1,2,3].The gene was first discovered in zebrafish, where the protein is localized to perinuclear germ granules
Large deletions in DND1 were introduced in two iPSC lines using the CRISPR/Cas9 system
Summary
The DND microRNA-mediated repression inhibitor 1 (DND1) is the human homolog of dead end (dnd), a conserved RNA binding protein (RBP) that plays an important role in survival and maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and the development of the male germline [1,2,3]. The gene was first discovered in zebrafish, where the protein is localized to perinuclear germ granules.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
