Dataset Information

Identification of oxygen-sensitive transcriptional programs in human embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT: To realize the full potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), it is important to develop culture conditions that maintain hESCs in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state. A low O(2) atmosphere (approximately 4% O(2)), for example, prevents spontaneous differentiation and supports self-renewal of hESCs. To identify genes whose expression is sensitive to O(2) conditions, microarray analysis was performed on RNA from hESCs that had been maintained under either 4% or 20% O(2). Of 149 genes differentially expressed, 42 were up-regulated and 107 down-regulated under 20% O(2). Several of the down-regulated genes are most likely under the control of hypoxia-inducing factors and include genes encoding enzymes involved in carbohydrate catabolism and cellular redox state. Although genes associated with pluripotency, including OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG were generally unaffected, some genes controlled by these transcription factors, including LEFTY2, showed lowered expression under 20% O(2), while a few genes implicated in lineage specification were up-regulated. Although the differences between O(2) conditions were generally subtle, they were observed in two different hESC lines and at different passage numbers. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that 4% O(2) favors the molecular mechanisms required for the maintenance of pluripotency.

SUBMITTER: Westfall SD

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3189708 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Identification of oxygen-sensitive transcriptional programs in human embryonic stem cells.

Westfall Suzanne D SD Sachdev Shrikesh S Das Padmalaya P Hearne Leonard B LB Hannink Mark M Roberts R Michael RM Ezashi Toshihiko T

Stem cells and development 20081001 5

To realize the full potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), it is important to develop culture conditions that maintain hESCs in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state. A low O(2) atmosphere (approximately 4% O(2)), for example, prevents spontaneous differentiation and supports self-renewal of hESCs. To identify genes whose expression is sensitive to O(2) conditions, microarray analysis was performed on RNA from hESCs that had been maintained under either 4% or 20% O(2). Of 149 genes dif ...[more]

PMID: 18811242

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Project description:INTRODUCTION:The potential of pluripotent stem cells to be used for cell therapy depends on a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying their unique ability to specify cells of all germ layers while undergoing unlimited self-renewal. Alternative splicing and alternate promoter selection contribute to this mechanism by increasing the number of transcripts generated from a single gene locus and thus enabling expression of novel protein variants which may differ in their biological role. The homeodomain-containing transcription factor NANOG plays a critical role in maintaining the pluripotency of Embryonic Stem Cells (ESC). Therefore, a thorough understanding of the transcriptional regulation of the NANOG locus in ESCs is necessary. METHODS:Regulatory footprints and transcription levels were identified for NANOG in human embryonic stem cells from data obtained using high-throughput sequencing methodologies. Quantitative real-time PCR following reverse transcription of RNA extracted human ESCs was used to validate the expression of transcripts from a region that extends upstream of the annotated NANOG transcriptional start. Promoter identification and characterization were performed using promoter reporter and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. RESULTS:Transcriptionally active chromatin marking and transcription factor binding site enrichment were observed at a region upstream of the known transcriptional start site of NANOG. Expression of novel transcripts from this transcriptionally active region confirmed the existence of NANOG alternative splicing in human ESCs. We identified an alternate NANOG promoter of significant strength at this upstream region. We also discovered that NANOG autoregulates its expression by binding to its proximal downstream promoter. CONCLUSION:Our study reveals novel transcript expression from NANOG in human ESCs, indicating that alternative splicing increases the diversity of transcripts originating from the NANOG locus and that these transcripts are expressed by an alternate promoter. Alternative splicing and alternate promoter usage collaborate to regulate NANOG, enabling its function in the maintenance of ESCs.

Dataset Information

Identification of oxygen-sensitive transcriptional programs in human embryonic stem cells.

Publications

Identification of oxygen-sensitive transcriptional programs in human embryonic stem cells.

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