Progress in Research on Histone Variants and Histone Modifications during Mammalian Gametogenesis and Preimplantation Embryonic Development

Epigenetic regulation with specific emphasis on the modes of histone variants and post-translational modifications are involved in mammalian gametogenesis and preimplantation embryonic development. Deposition or replacement of various histone variants, such as H2A.Z, H3.3 and CENP-A, regulate gene expression by fine-tuning nucleosome or local chromatin structure. Writing, reading and erasing of histone modifications are mediated by distinct enzymes, and activate or inhibit gene expression by regulating recruitment of transcriptional regulators in chromatin. Recent years saw great progress in low-input or single-cell genome wide epigenomic profiling techniques, shedding more light on the role of histone variants and histone modifications during gametogenesis and embryogenesis. This review provides an overview of recent findings and discusses potential mechanisms that shape the current paradigms regarding the roles of histone variants and histone modifications during mammalian gametogenesis and preimplantation embryonic development.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2021.12.0022