The caudal-related protein cdx2 promotes trophoblast differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.
Besides holding great promise in clinics, embryonic stem (ES) cells represent a valuable tool for studying regulation of early developmental processes, such as cell differentiation in preimplantation embryos. The caudal-related homeobox protein Cdx2 is a transcriptional regulator essential for trophoblast lineage, functioning as early as implantation. Using an inducible system, we show that gain of Cdx2 function in ES cells triggers trophoblast-like morphological differentiation, accompanied by ploidy increase, onset of expression of trophoblast-specific markers, and loss of pluripotency-associated gene expression. These data provide an insight into the genetic network that controls lineage specification and functioning in early mammalian development.
Tolkunova
Elena
E
Department of Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology, Stübeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany.
Cavaleri
Fatima
F
Eckardt
Sigrid
S
Reinbold
Rolland
R
Christenson
Lane K
LK
Schöler
Hans R
HR
Tomilin
Alexey
A
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047108:Embryonic Development; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000502:physiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000071616:CDX2 Transcription Factor; C487514:Cdx2 protein, mouse; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D014157:Transcription Factors