Naive pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and embryonic germ cells (EGCs) have distinct developmental origins. Genome-wide expression and global DNA-methylation analyses now reveal that ESCs and ESGs are highly similar at the transcriptome level and, contrary to previous assumptions, are both characterized by DNA hypomethylation. Also, global methylation levels in both ESCs and EGCs are directly responsive to culture conditions.
- Harry G Leitch
- Kirsten R McEwen
- Petra Hajkova