Haploid stem cells fertilize oocytes to generate live mice

IT IS HUGE! One more step close to a world no-need-of-man?

• Mouse haploid stem cells derive from sperm injection into enucleated oocytes
• These androgenetic haploid ES cells partially retain paternal imprints
• These AG-haESCs injected into oocytes support the production of live animals
• Gene targeting via homologous recombination is feasible in the AG-haESCs

Well, the male is still required. Its imprint on the DNA is necessary for the fertilization and subsequent development.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.04.002

Haploid cells are amenable for genetic analysis. Recent success in the derivation of mouse haploid embryonic stem cells (haESCs) via parthenogenesis has enabled genetic screening in mammalian cells. However, successful generation of live animals from these haESCs, which is needed to extend the genetic analysis to the organism level, has not been achieved. Here, we report the derivation of haESCs from androgenetic blastocysts. These cells, designated as AG-haESCs, partially maintain paternal imprints, express classical ESC pluripotency markers, and contribute to various tissues, including the germline, upon injection into diploid blastocysts. Strikingly, live mice can be obtained upon injection of AG-haESCs into MII oocytes, and these mice bear haESC-carried genetic traits and develop into fertile adults. Furthermore, gene targeting via homologous recombination is feasible in the AG-haESCs. Our results demonstrate that AG-haESCs can be used as a genetically tractable fertilization agent for the production of live animals via injection into oocytes.

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