title: Germ cell specification in mice.
abstract: Specification of germ cells in mice occurs relatively late in embryonic development. It is initiated by signals that induce expression of Blimp1, a key regulator of the germ cell, in a few epiblast cells of early postimplantation embryos. Blimp1 represses the incipient somatic program in these cells and promotes progression toward the germ cell fate. Blimp1 may also have a role in the maintenance of early germ cell characteristics by ensuring their escape from the somatic fate as well as possible reversion to pluripotent stem cells.
authors: Wellcome Trust Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK.
authors: Katsuhiko
authors: K
authors: Hayashi
authors: Susana M Chuva
authors: SM
authors: de Sousa Lopes
authors: M Azim
authors: MA
authors: Surani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D047108:Embryonic Development; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D011484:Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: C513258:Prdm1 protein, mouse; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1; D011496:Protein Methyltransferases; C498518:Prmt5 protein, mouse; D011484:Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases