title: Critical role of Emx2 in the pluripotency - differentiation transition in male gonocytes via regulation of FGF9/NODAL pathway.
abstract: Emx2 deletion impairs the growth and maintenance of the genital ridge. However, its role in subsequent germ cell differentiation during embryonic stages is unknown. Using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre-loxP mouse model (Emx2(flox/flox), Cre-ER(TM), hereafter called as Emx2 knockdown), we showed that germ cell differentiation was impaired in Emx2-knockdown testes. Representative characteristics of male germ cell differentiation, including a reduced ability to form embryonic germ (EG) cell colonies in vitro, down-regulation of pluripotency markers and G1/G0 arrest, did not occur in Emx2-knockdown testes. Furthermore, FGF9 and NODAL signalling occurred at abnormally high levels in Emx2-knockdown testes. Both blocking FGF9 signalling with SU5402 and inhibiting NODAL signalling with SB431542 allowed germ cells from Emx2-knockdown testes to differentiate in vitro Therefore, EMX2 in somatic cells is required to trigger germ cell differentiation in XY foetuses, posterior to its previously reported role in the growth and maintenance of the genital ridge.
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine CenterAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ma
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tian-Zhong
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine CenterAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and ObstetricsAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine CenterAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine CenterAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cai-Ling
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine CenterAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yun-Shan
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine CenterAffiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Huang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mei-Wen
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Minimally Invasive OrthopaedicGuangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China matzgmc@163.com.
authors.forename: Niu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yan-Ru
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D051525:Fibroblast Growth Factor 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D055457:Nodal Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins
chemical_list: D051525:Fibroblast Growth Factor 9; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D055457:Nodal Protein; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000099260:Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins; C496460:Fgf9 protein, mouse; C526008:Nodal protein, mouse