Didier Trono and colleagues show that both human DUX4 and mouse Dux are expressed before zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and lead to activation of ZGA-associated genes. Dux knockout in mouse embryonic stem cells prevents cycling through a 2-cell-like state, and zygotic depletion of Dux impairs embryonic development.
- Alberto De Iaco
- Evarist Planet
- Didier Trono