GENE NETWORKS IN HUMAN STEM CELLS

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Transcriptomic profiling of human embryonic stem cells upon cell cycle manipulation during pluripotent state dissolution

While distinct cell cycle structures have been known to correlate with pluripotent or differentiated cell states [1], there is no evidence on how the cell cycle machinery directly contributes to human embryonic stem cell (hESC) pluripotency. We established a determinant role of cell cycle machineries on the pluripotent state by demonstrating that the specific perturbation of the S and G2 phases can prevent pluripotent state dissolution (PSD) [2]. Active mechanisms in these phases, such as the DNA damage checkpoint and Cyclin B1, promote the pluripotent state [2]. To understand the mechanisms behind the effect on PSD by these pathways in hESCs, we performed comprehensive gene expression analysis by time-course microarray experiments. From these datasets, we observed expression changes in genes involved in the TGFβ signaling pathway, which has a well-established role in hESC maintenance [3–5]. The microarray data have been deposited in NCBI's Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and can be accessed through GEO Series accession numbers GSE62062 and GSE63215

Deterministic Restriction on Pluripotent State Dissolution by Cell-Cycle Pathways

SummaryDuring differentiation, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) shut down the regulatory network conferring pluripotency in a process we designated pluripotent state dissolution (PSD). In a high-throughput RNAi screen using an inclusive set of differentiation conditions, we identify centrally important and context-dependent processes regulating PSD in hESCs, including histone acetylation, chromatin remodeling, RNA splicing, and signaling pathways. Strikingly, we detected a strong and specific enrichment of cell-cycle genes involved in DNA replication and G2 phase progression. Genetic and chemical perturbation studies demonstrate that the S and G2 phases attenuate PSD because they possess an intrinsic propensity toward the pluripotent state that is independent of G1 phase. Our data therefore functionally establish that pluripotency control is hardwired to the cell-cycle machinery, where S and G2 phase-specific pathways deterministically restrict PSD, whereas the absence of such pathways in G1 phase potentially permits the initiation of differentiation

Klf2 Is an Essential Factor that Sustains Ground State Pluripotency

The maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) requires LIF and serum. However, a pluripotent “ground state,” bearing resemblance to preimplantation mouse epiblasts, can be established through dual inhibition (2i) of both prodifferentiation Mek/Erk and Gsk3/Tcf3 pathways. While Gsk3 inhibition has been attributed to the transcriptional derepression of Esrrb, the molecular mechanism mediated by Mek inhibition remains unclear. In this study, we show that Krüppel-like factor 2 (Klf2) is phosphorylated by Erk2 and that phospho-Klf2 is proteosomally degraded. Mek inhibition hence prevents Klf2 protein phosphodegradation to sustain pluripotency. Indeed, while Klf2-null mESCs can survive under LIF/Serum, they are not viable under 2i, demonstrating that Klf2 is essential for ground state pluripotency. Importantly, we also show that ectopic Klf2 expression can replace Mek inhibition in mESCs, allowing the culture of Klf2-null mESCs under Gsk3 inhibition alone. Collectively, our study defines the Mek/Erk/Klf2 axis that cooperates with the Gsk3/Tcf3/Esrrb pathway in mediating ground state pluripotency.ASTAR (Agency for Sci., Tech. and Research, S’pore

Induction of a human pluripotent state with distinct regulatory circuitry that resembles preimplantation epiblast

10.1016/j.stem.2013.11.015Cell Stem Cell136663-67