Nature: Mouse stem cells can be converted into egg-like cells

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhua Sun Self-Law) A group of eight transcription factors can convert mouse stem cells into egg-like cells in a laboratory, according to a new research paper published in nature, an internationally renowned academic journal. The findings further deepen researchers' understanding of egg development and may have implications for reproductive medicine.
, the development of ovarian cells (immature egg cells) is divided into several stages, but the regulatory network of genes involved in this process is not clear.
co-author Katsuhiko Hayashi of Kyusho University in Fukuoka, Japan, and colleagues used embryonic stem cells from mice to identify the eight transcription factors needed to trigger ovarian cell growth (proteins that regulate gene expression). The researchers then induced the eight transcription factors to be expressed in erythnic stem cells in mice to test whether they were enough to drive ovarian growth.
found that this led to the production of egg-like cells, which the authors named directly induced ovarian cell-like cells. Although these cells are not subtracted, they are fertilized and can divide to the 8 cell stages of embryonic development. However, further development beyond this point in time will be affected.
authors believe that their egg-like cells can provide a potential source of ovarian cytocytocytes, which are valuable in assisted reproductive technology.