Fig. 8.

ATRX is more enriched at pericentric heterochromatin of E11.5 PGCs compared to that of the surrounding soma. a Analysis of ATRX (green) localization patterns in nuclear spread preparations of E10.5 and E11.5 embryo trunks and E13.5 male and female gonads. ATRX is enriched at pericentric heterochromatin of germ and somatic cells in all stages examined. At E11.5, ATRX levels seem to be higher in PGCs compared to the surrounding somatic cells, while at E10.5 and E13.5, the levels of ATRX are comparable between germ cell and somatic nuclei. E10.5 and E11.5 germ cells were identified by OCT4 (red) and E13.5 germ cells with TRA98 (red). Three or more embryo trunks or gonads were pooled for the nuclear spread preparations and 20–30 PGC, and somatic nuclei were recorded. Representative germ cells are marked with yellow dashed circles. Scale bars represent 10 μm. b Quantification analysis of ATRX levels in the whole nuclear area (N.A.) and pericentric heterochromatin regions (PHC) in the different embryonic stages examined. The levels of ATRX at E11.5 pericentric heterochromatin are significantly increased compared to the soma. Asterisks (* or **) indicate significant differences