SoxB transcription factors specify neuroectodermal lineage choice in ES cells.
Knowledge of lineage decision machinery in pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cells may shed light on the process of germ layer segregation in the mammalian embryo and enable directed differentiation in vitro for biomedical applications. We have investigated the contribution of Class B1 Sox transcription factors to lineage choice during ES cell differentiation. We report that forced expression of Sox1 or Sox2 did not impair propagation of undifferentiated ES cells, but upon release from self-renewal promoted differentiation into neuroectoderm at the expense of mesoderm and endoderm. The efficient specification of a primary lineage by transcription factor manipulation provides a paradigm for instructing differentiation of ES cells for biopharmaceutical screening and cell therapy applications.
Zhao
Suling
S
Institute for Stem Cell Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JQ, United Kingdom.
Nichols
Jennifer
J
Smith
Austin G
AG
Li
Meng
M
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D019070:Cell Lineage / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D004475:Ectoderm / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000166:cytology*; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D006609:High Mobility Group Proteins; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; C098693:Sox1 protein, mouse; D014157:Transcription Factors