PhD student The University of Hong Kong The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Abstract: Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is a significant event of mammalian pre-implantation embryo development, standing for the initiation of oocyte-to-embryo transition with the ebullition of transcription activity. Transposable elements (TEs) are short and repetitive sequences that composite the majority of mammalian genome with retrotransposition ability. Multiple TEs are highly transcribed in this stage. Moreover, instead of being a selfish byproduct in this awakening transcription, a growing body of evidence suggests these elements acquire an essential role and can contribute to ZGA. Nevertheless, the role of various classes of TEs and their mechanism of activation in embryo remains enigmatic. With the use of totipotent stem cells, we exploit the potential of how TEs participate in the access of totipotency in in vitro models. Our data evaluates the contribution of different class of TEs and disclose their potential regulatory mechanisms. Comprehensively, the advancement of totipotent stem cells provides an invaluable system with their distinguishing resemblance to cleavage state embryo, enabling the acceleration of the research progress of TEs in ZGA.
Funding Source: This project is supported by Health@InnoHK, Innovation Technology Commission, HKSAR
