title: Unraveling epigenetic regulation in embryonic stem cells.
abstract: Embryonic stem (ES) cells can replicate indefinitely while retaining the capacity to differentiate into functionally distinct cell types. ES cells proliferate and differentiate without detectable genetic changes, indicating that these processes are controlled by epigenetic factors. Here we describe what is known about the epigenetics of ES cells and speculate that a dynamic balance among at least three epigenetic elements (chromatin structure, DNA methylation, and microRNAs), in conjunction with transcription factors, contributes to the maintenance of pluripotence. Understanding the interactions among these factors will be critical to the development of improved strategies to reprogram differentiated cells or direct differentiation of pluripotent cells.
authors: Illumina, Inc., San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Bibikova
authors: Louise C
authors: LC
authors: Laurent
authors: Bing
authors: B
authors: Ren
authors: Jeanne F
authors: JF
authors: Loring
authors: Jian-Bing
authors: JB
authors: Fan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000502:physiology*; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors