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Germline Stem Cells: New Insights

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 3965

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Interests: spermatogonia stem cells

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Germline stem cells represent a significant focus of scientific research due to their vital role in reproduction and inheritance. These unique cells produce gametes, essential for passing on genetic information from generation to generation. Significant advances in the study of germline stem cells have provided valuable insights into their development, regulation, and potential medical applications. Research has uncovered complex molecular mechanisms that govern the maintenance and differentiation of germline stem cells. These findings have enhanced our understanding of fundamental biological processes and opened up potential new approaches to addressing infertility and genetic disorders.

This Special Issue aims to gather cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews showcasing the latest discoveries and technological advancements in this rapidly evolving field. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, the identification of new markers for germline stem cells, the impact of the microenvironment on stem cell behavior, the regulation of gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, and the implications of manipulating germline stem cells in regenerative medicine. This Special Issue will specifically highlight studies employing microarray analysis, single-cell sequencing, the discovery of key signaling pathways, and spatial genomics. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of spermatogonia and oocyte development and the use of bioinformatics to understand germline stem cell biology. By consolidating groundbreaking research from leading experts, this Special Issue will deepen our understanding of germline stem cell biology and inspire innovative strategies to address reproductive health issues and genetic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Skutella
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • signaling pathway
  • spermatogonia development
  • oocyte development
  • microarray analysis
  • single-cell sequencing
  • epigenetic mechanisms
  • germline stem cell

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

23 pages, 17680 KiB  
Article
Integrating Microarray Data and Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals Key Gene Involved in Spermatogonia Stem Cell Aging
by Danial Hashemi Karoii, Hossein Azizi and Thomas Skutella
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(21), 11653; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111653 - 30 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3673
Abstract
The in vitro generation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offers a viable approach for addressing male infertility. A multitude of molecules participate in this intricate process, which requires additional elucidation. Despite the decline in SSCs in aged testes, [...] Read more.
The in vitro generation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offers a viable approach for addressing male infertility. A multitude of molecules participate in this intricate process, which requires additional elucidation. Despite the decline in SSCs in aged testes, SSCs are deemed immortal since they can multiply for three years with repeated transplantation. Nonetheless, the examination of aging is challenging due to the limited quantity and absence of precise indicators. Using a microarray, we assessed genome-wide transcripts (about 55,000 transcripts) of fibroblasts and SSCs. The WGCNA approach was then used to look for SSC-specific transcription factors (TFs) and hub SSC-specific genes based on ATAC-seq, DNase-seq, RNA-seq, and microarray data from the GEO databases as well as gene expression data (RNA-seq and microarray data). The microarray analysis of three human cases with different SSCs revealed that 6 genes were upregulated, and the expression of 23 genes was downregulated compared to the normal case in relation to aging genes. To reach these results, online assessments of Enrich Shiny GO, STRING, and Cytoscape were used to forecast the molecular and functional connections of proteins before identifying the master routes. The biological process and molecular function keywords of cell–matrix adhesion, telomerase activity, and telomere cap complex were shown to be significantly altered in upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by the functional enrichment analysis. According to our preliminary research, cell-specific TFs and TF-mediated GRNs are involved in the creation of SSCs. In order to maximize the induction efficiency of ESC differentiation into SSCs in vitro, hub SSC-specific genes and important SSC-specific TFs were identified, and sophisticated network regulation was proposed. According to our research, these genes and the hub proteins that they interact with may be able to shine a light on the pathophysiologies of infertility and aberrant germ cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Germline Stem Cells: New Insights)
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