Tien-Chi Huang
@tienchihuang.bsky.social
Interested in chromatin dynamics during mammalian development
The interesting observation does not stop here.
We also detect a striking loss of TAD boundaries and loop formation in PGCs, comparison with somatic cells. We think this is linked to lower expression of CTCF in germ cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains to be investigated. 8/9
We also detect a striking loss of TAD boundaries and loop formation in PGCs, comparison with somatic cells. We think this is linked to lower expression of CTCF in germ cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains to be investigated. 8/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The interesting observation does not stop here.
We also detect a striking loss of TAD boundaries and loop formation in PGCs, comparison with somatic cells. We think this is linked to lower expression of CTCF in germ cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains to be investigated. 8/9
We also detect a striking loss of TAD boundaries and loop formation in PGCs, comparison with somatic cells. We think this is linked to lower expression of CTCF in germ cells. However, the molecular mechanism remains to be investigated. 8/9
What about global 3D genome organisation during this critical stage of germline development?
Consistent with our cytological observations, inter-chromosomal interactions were markedly reduced in both male and female PGCs, compared to somatic cells. 7/9
Consistent with our cytological observations, inter-chromosomal interactions were markedly reduced in both male and female PGCs, compared to somatic cells. 7/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
What about global 3D genome organisation during this critical stage of germline development?
Consistent with our cytological observations, inter-chromosomal interactions were markedly reduced in both male and female PGCs, compared to somatic cells. 7/9
Consistent with our cytological observations, inter-chromosomal interactions were markedly reduced in both male and female PGCs, compared to somatic cells. 7/9
What is the potential mechanism for centromere anchoring in germ cells?
We show
1. H3K9me3 exhibited enrichment primarily around the nuclear periphery in PGCs.
2. Inhibition of H3K9 methyltransferase resulted in dislocation of centromeres.
6/9
We show
1. H3K9me3 exhibited enrichment primarily around the nuclear periphery in PGCs.
2. Inhibition of H3K9 methyltransferase resulted in dislocation of centromeres.
6/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
What is the potential mechanism for centromere anchoring in germ cells?
We show
1. H3K9me3 exhibited enrichment primarily around the nuclear periphery in PGCs.
2. Inhibition of H3K9 methyltransferase resulted in dislocation of centromeres.
6/9
We show
1. H3K9me3 exhibited enrichment primarily around the nuclear periphery in PGCs.
2. Inhibition of H3K9 methyltransferase resulted in dislocation of centromeres.
6/9
IF combined with 3D telomere DNA FISH revealed a significantly higher number of telomere foci in PGCs compared to somatic cells.
The data support a model in which one end of the chromosome is tethered at the nuclear periphery, while the distal telomere is positioned inside the nucleoplasm. 5/9
The data support a model in which one end of the chromosome is tethered at the nuclear periphery, while the distal telomere is positioned inside the nucleoplasm. 5/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
IF combined with 3D telomere DNA FISH revealed a significantly higher number of telomere foci in PGCs compared to somatic cells.
The data support a model in which one end of the chromosome is tethered at the nuclear periphery, while the distal telomere is positioned inside the nucleoplasm. 5/9
The data support a model in which one end of the chromosome is tethered at the nuclear periphery, while the distal telomere is positioned inside the nucleoplasm. 5/9
The peripheral distribution of centromeres in PGCs is apparent in 3D reconstruction of confocal images. The data suggest that centromeres are separated in PGCs.
Surprisingly, despite the de-clustering of centromeres, the signal in the individual CENPA foci seemed more pronounced in PGCs. 4/9
Surprisingly, despite the de-clustering of centromeres, the signal in the individual CENPA foci seemed more pronounced in PGCs. 4/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The peripheral distribution of centromeres in PGCs is apparent in 3D reconstruction of confocal images. The data suggest that centromeres are separated in PGCs.
Surprisingly, despite the de-clustering of centromeres, the signal in the individual CENPA foci seemed more pronounced in PGCs. 4/9
Surprisingly, despite the de-clustering of centromeres, the signal in the individual CENPA foci seemed more pronounced in PGCs. 4/9
Firstly, we tried to identify the localisation of chromosome ends. We observed an interesting distribution of centromeres in PGCs. Centromere foci were positioned close to the nuclear periphery with few attached to nucleoli near the periphery in both male and female germ cells. 3/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Firstly, we tried to identify the localisation of chromosome ends. We observed an interesting distribution of centromeres in PGCs. Centromere foci were positioned close to the nuclear periphery with few attached to nucleoli near the periphery in both male and female germ cells. 3/9
So, what about nuclear architecture? Just by DAPI staining, you can easily distinguish between embryonic germ cells (dash line) and surrounding somatic cells (yellow arrow head).
It is more obvious if we use TEM. PGCs exhibit overall less electron-dense, dispersed chromatin state. 2/9
It is more obvious if we use TEM. PGCs exhibit overall less electron-dense, dispersed chromatin state. 2/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
So, what about nuclear architecture? Just by DAPI staining, you can easily distinguish between embryonic germ cells (dash line) and surrounding somatic cells (yellow arrow head).
It is more obvious if we use TEM. PGCs exhibit overall less electron-dense, dispersed chromatin state. 2/9
It is more obvious if we use TEM. PGCs exhibit overall less electron-dense, dispersed chromatin state. 2/9
The germ cells are undergoing an extensive process called epigenetic reprogramming. It’s like hitting 'reset' button on the cell's memory. This reprogramming process involves global DNA demethylation, changes in nuclear morphology as well as remodeling of repressive histone modifications. 1/9
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The germ cells are undergoing an extensive process called epigenetic reprogramming. It’s like hitting 'reset' button on the cell's memory. This reprogramming process involves global DNA demethylation, changes in nuclear morphology as well as remodeling of repressive histone modifications. 1/9
Happy to share our latest preprint.
We uncover a previously uncharacterised and evolutionarily conserved chromatin architecture in premeiotic gonadal germ cells, revealed through integrated cytological and high-resolution Hi-C approaches.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread🧵🔽
We uncover a previously uncharacterised and evolutionarily conserved chromatin architecture in premeiotic gonadal germ cells, revealed through integrated cytological and high-resolution Hi-C approaches.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread🧵🔽
November 18, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Happy to share our latest preprint.
We uncover a previously uncharacterised and evolutionarily conserved chromatin architecture in premeiotic gonadal germ cells, revealed through integrated cytological and high-resolution Hi-C approaches.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread🧵🔽
We uncover a previously uncharacterised and evolutionarily conserved chromatin architecture in premeiotic gonadal germ cells, revealed through integrated cytological and high-resolution Hi-C approaches.
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Thread🧵🔽