Human-specific gene CT47 blocks PRMT5 degradation to initiate pubertal spermatogenesis

Elucidating the functions of human-specific genes (HSGs) is challenging in the absence of a humanized model system. We created a library of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) with HSGs disrupted by CRISPR technology and screened for germ cell differentiation phenotypes. We identified Cancer/Testis Antigen gene family 47 (CT47) as an essential regulator of human-specific spermatogenesis.