title: Epigenetic transitions in germ cell development and meiosis.
abstract: Germ cell development is controlled by unique gene expression programs and involves epigenetic reprogramming of histone modifications and DNA methylation. The central event is meiosis, during which homologous chromosomes pair and recombine, processes that involve histone alterations. At unpaired regions, chromatin is repressed by meiotic silencing. After meiosis, male germ cells undergo chromatin remodeling, including histone-to-protamine replacement. Male and female germ cells are also differentially marked by parental imprints, which contribute to sex determination in insects and mediate genomic imprinting in mammals. Here, we review epigenetic transitions during gametogenesis and discuss novel insights from animal and human studies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535 and University of Montpellier I & II, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Satya K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kota
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feil
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042002:Chromatin Assembly and Disassembly; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D020868:Gene Silencing; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D000076983:Histone Methyltransferases; D011495:Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase