2026-07-15 名古屋大学
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.nagoya-u.ac.jp/researchinfo/result/2026/07/post-1038.html
- https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(26)01809-2
ニワトリレトロウイルス様遺伝子ENS-1/ERNIおよびSoprano LTRは始原生殖細胞の発達に関与している The chicken retrovirus-like gene ENS-1/ERNI and Soprano LTR are involved in primordial germ cell development
Yuya Okuzaki ∙ Akane Kawaguchi ∙ Yumi Ozaki ∙ Takeo Uemura ∙ Daisuke Saito ∙ Ken-ichi Nishijima
iScience Published:June 23, 2026
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2026.116434
Highlights
- ENS-1/ERNI expression correlates with establishment efficiency of chicken PGC line
- CRISPRi targeting the Soprano LTR down-regulates homeostasis-related genes
- These PGCs exhibit abnormal DNA damage response and reduced proliferation
- Soprano CRISPRi impaired colonization to embryonic genital ridges
Summary
Cultured chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) are vital for reproductive biology and genetic preservation; however, establishing stable lines from certain breeds or female embryos remains challenging. We herein demonstrated that the expression of the Galliformes-specific retrovirus-like gene ENS-1/ERNI correlated with PGC line establishment efficiency. CRISPRi targeting its LTR sequence (Soprano) down-regulated homeostasis-related gene expression. These PGCs exhibited abnormal cell-cycle arrest and reduced proliferation under DNA damage, as well as impaired colonization of the genital ridges upon transplantation. Our results suggest the involvement of Soprano LTR and ENS-1/ERNI in the development of chicken PGCs and their adaptation to the in vitro environment.
