Mengwen Hu

Paternal folate deficiency reveals meiosis as a metabolic sensing window in the male germline

The paper shows that paternal folate deficiency affects meiotic chromatin and epigenomic changes in the male germline, particularly at CGI-associated promoters.

Polycomb shapes active chromatin and promoter bivalency during ovarian reserve formation and activation

The paper shows Polycomb complexes regulate active chromatin remodeling during ovarian reserve formation and oocyte growth, establishing quiescence and future promoter states through distinct H3K27ac and H3K4me3 dynamics.

Polycomb Repressive-Deubiquitinase Complex Safeguards Oocyte Epigenome and Female Fertility by Restraining Polycomb Activity

This study identifies BAP1 as a key regulator of oocyte epigenome maintenance by restricting Polycomb activity, ensuring proper transcription and female fertility.

Newly Evolved Endogenous Retroviruses Prime the Ovarian Reserve for Activation

The paper identifies newly evolved endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) as drivers of epigenetic priming in non-growing oocytes, enabling follicular activation during oogenesis.

The SMARCA5-DMRT1 Pioneer Complex Establishes Epigenetic Priming to Direct Male Germline Development

This study shows that SMARCA5 and DMRT1 form a pioneer complex that establishes epigenetic priming necessary for male germline differentiation in response to retinoic acid.

An Epigenomic Roadmap Primes Non-Growing Oocytes for Maturation and Early Embryogenesis

This study shows that non-growing oocytes in mice have pre-established epigenetic marks that prime the epigenome for oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis, challenging the traditional view that these marks are acquired after ovarian reserve exit.

Priming Epigenetic Landscape at Gene Promoters through Transcriptional Activation in Mammalian Germ Cells

The paper shows that in mouse male germ cells, promoter chromatin states are shaped by H3K4me3 density and H3K27me3 dynamics, influencing gene expression during development.

Chromatin remodeler CHD4 establishes chromatin states required for ovarian reserve formation, maintenance, and germ cell survival

ATF7IP2/MCAF2 directs H3K9 methylation and meiotic gene regulation in the male germline

This study identifies ATF7IP2 as a critical regulator of H3K9 methylation and meiotic gene regulation in male germline, showing its role in heterochromatin organization and meiotic sex chromosome inactivation.

PRC1 directs PRC2-H3K27me3 deposition to shield adult spermatogonial stem cells from differentiation

This study identifies PRC1's role in maintaining adult undifferentiated spermatogonia by directing PRC2-H3K27me3 deposition to prevent differentiation and sustain slow cycling.

Polycomb suppresses a female gene regulatory network to ensure testicular differentiation

The paper identifies Polycomb's role in suppressing a female gene regulatory network in Sertoli cells to maintain testicular differentiation.