单倍体胚胎干细胞研究进展及思考

The Progress on Haploid Embryonic Stem Cells Research

哺乳动物胚胎干细胞通常为二倍体,这一特性影响其在遗传筛选中的应用。近几年,科学家在单倍体胚胎干细胞(haploid embryonic stem cells,ha ESCs)的研究领域取得突破性进展。单倍体胚胎干细胞只含有一套染色体,但其克隆形态、增殖能力、基因表达模式、分化潜能等与二倍体的干细胞相似。单倍体的特点使其在正向遗传和反向遗传、生物发育以及辅助生殖等研究中具有重要的应用价值。该文从单倍体胚胎干细胞的获得、特点、进展、应用等方面进行了综述,并对单倍体胚胎干细胞研究中遇到的问题进行了思考。

Mammalian embryonic stem cells are diploid and this character impedes their potential application on genetic screening. Recently, scientists have gained breakthrough in the haploid embryonic stem cells（ha ESCs） research field. The ha ESCs contain only one set of chromosome, express pluripotency markers and can differentiate into all three germ layers in vitro and in vivo, even more can support full-term development of mouse semi-cloned embryos via serving as oocyte or sperm. Therefore, the ha ESCs provide a powerful tool for researches on forward and reverse genetic, biological development and the assisted reproductive technology. Here we describe the haploid embryonic stem cell lines derivation and their characteristics, and summarize the progress on ha ESCs research and the application of ha ESCs. At the same time, we summarize the difficulties regarding the haploid embryonic stem cells research.