Many mammals can pause early pregnancy, a state called embryonic diapause. Seals delay embryo implantation until the mother has enough fat, and hundreds of species use this strategy, but humans do not. A new study in Genes & Development looked at mouse embryonic stem cells to see how they keep the ability to become any cell.
The researchers used two ways to mimic diapause: blocking mTOR to simulate low nutrients, and a BET inhibitor called I-BET151 that acts like Myc deficiency. In both cases the cells lowered metabolism, made less RNA and protein, and stayed pluripotent. When the blocking drugs were removed, the cells resumed normal development.
Difficult words
- embryonic diapause — a temporary pause of early embryo growth
- implantation — when an embryo attaches to the mother's uterus
- pluripotent — able to become many different cell types
- mimic — to copy or act like something else
- metabolism — the chemical processes that keep a cell alive
- inhibitor — a substance that reduces a biological activity
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think seals wait until the mother has enough fat before implantation?
- Do you think pausing development could help animals or human medicine? Why or why not?
- Have you ever paused a project until you had more resources? What happened when you continued?
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