Mechanism of female germ cell fate determination by a transcription factor ZGLP1

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15801
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 44020:Developmental biology-related
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Nagaoka So 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (20870158)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 卵形成 / 不妊症 / 早発卵巣不全 / 減数分裂 / 始原生殖細胞 / 試験管内分化誘導 / ZGLP1 / 配偶子形成

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Oocytes possess the ability to create all cell types in the body and thus are the keystone for assuring species’ continuation. In this research project, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms by which ZGLP1, an evolutionarily conserved transcription factor, induces female sex differentiation in developing germ cells. With the use of in vitro germ cell derivation technology, we conducted detailed transcriptome analyses during fetal and neonatal oogenesis. We identified new factors that play pivotal roles in the assurance of oocyte survival through, for example, the regulations of meiotic progression and cellular homeostasis. Our findings advanced the understanding of how ovarian reserve is established and maintained. Additionally, our work provides clues on how to establish human in vitro gametogenesis in the future.

Free Research Field

発生生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

女性の生涯における生殖能力は卵母細胞の「数」と「質」が胎児期に正しく作られることによって保証されるが、胎児期の卵母細胞形成を制御するプログラムの多くは不明瞭である。本研究により胎児期卵母細胞の生存を保証する転写プログラムの理解を向上することができ、女性の妊孕性を規定する卵巣予備能成立の根底プロセスの理解が進んだ。この成果は、不妊症の機序の理解に貢献し、また、将来的なヒト卵母細胞の試験管内誘導の創出にも寄与すると期待できる。