Role of TET3 in the regulation of epigenetic reprogramming and totipotency

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At the beginning of embryo development (just after fertilization) embryonic cells are totipotent which means they can give rise to all cell types in the body. The epigenetic regulation of totipotency is not understood but is thought to potentially involve reprogramming of epigenetic information carried in egg and sperm in preparation for cells to develop in various directions. We have identified an enzyme called TET3 which is highly expressed in the zygote and whose function at least in part is in removing pre-existing epigenetic information in the form of methylation of DNA. This studentship project will investigate the role of TET3 in potentially regulating totipotency.

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