title: How to make a primordial germ cell.
abstract: Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the precursors of sperm and eggs, which generate a new organism that is capable of creating endless new generations through germ cells. PGCs are specified during early mammalian postimplantation development, and are uniquely programmed for transmission of genetic and epigenetic information to subsequent generations. In this Primer, we summarise the establishment of the fundamental principles of PGC specification during early development and discuss how it is now possible to make mouse PGCs from pluripotent embryonic stem cells, and indeed somatic cells if they are first rendered pluripotent in culture.
authors.affiliation: Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK.
authors.forename: Erna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magnúsdóttir
authors.forename: M Azim
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Surani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D054337:Cell Dedifferentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
keywords: Epigenetic programming; Primordial germ cells; Specification; Transcription factors