title: Epigenetic control of embryonic stem cell differentiation.
abstract: Pluripotent embryonic stem cells can give rise to almost all somatic cell types but this characteristic requires precise control of their gene expression patterns. The necessity of keeping the entire genome "poised" to enter into any of a number of developmental possibilities requires a unique and highly plastic chromatin organisation based around specific patterns of histone modifications although this state of affairs is normally short lived during embryonic development. By deriving embryonic stem cells from the early embryo, we can preserve the highly specialised genome organisation and this has permitted several detailed investigations into the molecular basis of pluripotency.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, The International Centre for Life, Central Parkway, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Lyle.Armstrong@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Lyle
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D002843:Chromatin