| The germ cell--the mother of all stem cells. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 9853836 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The germline, uniquely amongst the lineages of the embryo, carries the genome from generation to generation and is therefore the only lineage which retains true developmental totipotency. Paradoxically, when mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) are introduced into a host blastocyst, they do not contribute to either the germline or the soma, suggesting that they are restricted in developmental potency. Conversely, in vivo PGCs give rise to embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells, the pluripotent stem cells of teratomas, benign tumors containing derivatives of the three primary germ layers. Similarly, PGCs can be converted in vitro into embryonic germ (EG) cells, pluripotent stem cells capable of giving rise to somatic and germline chimeras. The ability of PGCs to form EC cells in vivo and EG cells in vitro suggests that developmental potency of PGCs is regulateable. The molecular mechanisms controlling PGC growth and differentiation are gradually being elucidated through the characterization of sterile mutants and through the use of in vitro culture systems. Understanding how a PGC can give rise to a pluripotent stem cell could give significant insights into the regulation of developmental totipotency as well as having important implications for male fertility and the etiology of testicular cancer. |
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Authors:
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P J Donovan |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.; Review |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The International journal of developmental biology Volume: 42 ISSN: 0214-6282 ISO Abbreviation: Int. J. Dev. Biol. Publication Date: 1998 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 1999-02-23 Completed Date: 1999-02-23 Revised Date: 2008-11-21 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8917470 Medline TA: Int J Dev Biol Country: SPAIN |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1043-50 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Cell Biology of Development and Differentiation Group, ABL-Basic Research Program, NCI-FCRDC, Frederick MD, USA. pdonovan@lac.jci.tju.edu |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Cell Differentiation Cell Division Culture Techniques Embryo, Mammalian Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells Female Germ Cells* Male Mice Neoplastic Stem Cells Stem Cells* Teratoma / pathology |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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