title: WNTing embryonic stem cells.
abstract: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) - undifferentiated cells originating from preimplantation stage embryos - have prolonged self-renewal capacity and are pluripotent. Activation of the canonical Wnt pathway is implicated in maintenance of and exit from the pluripotent state. Recent findings demonstrate that the essential mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, β-catenin, is dispensable for ESC maintenance; however, its activation inhibits differentiation through derepression of T cell factor 3 (Tcf3)-bound genes. Wnt agonists are useful in deriving ESCs from recalcitrant mouse strains and the rat and in nuclear reprogramming of somatic stem cells. We discuss recent advances in our understanding of the role of canonical Wnt signaling in the regulation of ESC self-renewal and how its manipulation can improve pluripotent ESC derivation and maintenance.
authors.affiliation: University College London, Cancer Institute, Paul O'Gorman Building, 72 Huntley Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wray
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hartmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D039904:Pluripotent Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000819:agonists / Q000378:metabolism; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway / Q000187:drug effects; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin