A groundbreaking study has advanced the field of stem cell science and genetics by successfully creating a living mouse in the laboratory using techniques that date back hundreds of millions of years, before multicellular organisms evolved.
This discovery represents a significant breakthrough in genetic engineering, as scientists managed to introduce genes from unicellular organisms—specifically from primitive unicellular organisms considered the closest living relatives of animals—into mouse cells. These genes, which predate any form of multicellular life, were integrated in a manner that led to the creation of pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any cell type, opening new avenues in biomedical research and therapies.
The unicellular organisms, deemed the closest living relatives of animals, are key to this discovery. Until now, scientists believed that genes related to the formation of stem cells existed only in multicellular organisms, such as animals. However, the new study indicates that the ancestors of these genes were present in unicellular organisms, specifically in the Sox and POU genes of these primitive organisms. This finding is revolutionary, as it opens new possibilities for understanding the evolutionary trajectory of stem cells and the evolution of life in general.
The process of creating the mouse involved replacing the mouse Sox2 genes with the corresponding Sox genes from the primitive unicellular organisms. This genetic modification activated mechanisms that lead to the formation of pluripotent stem cells. These cells were then injected into a developing mouse embryo, creating a hybrid animal whose body consists of cells with different genetic backgrounds, containing two distinct DNA sets.
The genetically modified mouse represents the first application of this technique and provides new opportunities for research in the field of stem cells, paving the way for advancements in therapies, transplants, or tissue regeneration.
Study author Dr. Alex de Mendoza stated, "We successfully created a mouse using molecular tools derived from our unicellular relatives and witnessed an extraordinary continuity over nearly a billion years of evolution. This study suggests that the key genes involved in the formation of stem cells may have originated much earlier than stem cells themselves, potentially helping to pave the way for the multicellular life we see today."
This discovery is not just intriguing; it has the potential to create advancements in regenerative medicine, in which stem cells play an integral role. Co-author Dr. Ralph Jots added, "Studying the ancient roots of these genetic tools allows us to innovate by gaining a clearer view of how these pluripotency mechanisms can be modified or optimized."