Germline potential of parthenogenetic haploid mouse embryonic stem cells.
Haploid embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have recently been derived from parthenogenetic mouse embryos and offer new possibilities for genetic screens. The ability of haploid ESCs to give rise to a wide range of differentiated cell types in the embryo and in vitro has been demonstrated. However, it has remained unclear whether haploid ESCs can contribute to the germline. Here, we show that parthenogenetic haploid ESCs at high passage have robust germline competence enabling the production of transgenic mouse strains from genetically modified haploid ESCs. We also show that differentiation of haploid ESCs in the embryo correlates with the gain of a diploid karyotype and that diploidisation is the result of endoreduplication and not cell fusion. By contrast, we find that a haploid karyotype is maintained when differentiation to an extra-embryonic fate is forced by induction of Gata6.
Centre for Stem Cell Research, Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QR, UK. ml553@cam.ac.uk
Martin
M
Leeb
Rachael
R
Walker
Bill
B
Mansfield
Jenny
J
Nichols
Austin
A
Smith
Anton
A
Wutz
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004171:Diploidy; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006238:Haploidy; D059785:Karyotype; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010312:Parthenogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*