Nanog inhibits the switch of myogenic cells towards the osteogenic lineage.
The homeodomain transcription factor Nanog has been implicated in inhibiting differentiation and controlling pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) cells. We used ectopic expression of Nanog in the myogenic committed C2 cells to dissect these properties. Expression of Nanog in C2 cells does not alter terminal muscle differentiation but has a profound effect on their switch to differentiate along the osteogenic lineage upon BMP treatment. Gene expression profiling revealed that ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, alkaline-phosphatase activity and osteocalcin expression were induced to much lower extent and remained suppressed even after 96h. in Nanog expressing C2 cells, compared to control C2 cells. Hence, Nanog does not inhibit terminal differentiation of committed cells but it is an inhibitor of trans-differentiation that is dependent on de-novo activation of gene transcription.
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Bose S
BS
Kochupurakkal
Rachel
R
Sarig
Ora
O
Fuchs
Dan
D
Piestun
Gidi
G
Rechavi
David
D
Givol
D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D032446:Myoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; C486780:NANOG protein, human; D000071317:Nanog Homeobox Protein