Epigenetic factors in the regulation of prospermatogonia and spermatogonial stem cells

Reproduction. 2015 Sep;150(3):R77-91. doi: 10.1530/REP-14-0679. Epub 2015 Jun 26.

Abstract

Appropriate regulation of epigenome within cells is crucial for the determination of cell fate and contributes to the lifelong maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Epigenomic re-establishment during embryonic prospermatogonia development and fine-tune of the epigenetic landscape in postnatal spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are two key processes required for functional male germ cell formation. Repression of re-activated transposons and male germline-specific epigenome establishment occur in prospermatogonia, whereas modulations of the epigenetic landscape is important for SSC self-renewal and differentiation to maintain the stem cell pool and support long-term sperm production. Here, we describe the impact of epigenome-related regulators and small non-coding RNAs as well as the influence of epigenome modifications that result from extrinsic signaling for controlling the decision between self-renewal, differentiation and survival in mouse prospermatogonia and SSCs. This article provides a review of epigenome-related molecules involved in cell fate determination in male germ cells and discusses the intriguing questions that arise from these studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage
  • Cell Self Renewal
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Gene Silencing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Spermatogonia / physiology*
  • Stem Cell Niche

Substances

  • MicroRNAs