Project description:The transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 are required for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and for maintaining embryonic stem cells (ESCs). To this end, OCT4 and SOX2 associate and bind to DNA in different configurations depending on the composite DNA element present in their target genes. Here, we have investigated the role of the different OCT4-SOX2 conformational arrangements in regulating and inducing pluripotency. To this end, we have generated SOX2 mutants that interfere with specific OCT4-SOX2 heterodimer configurations and we have assessed their abilities to generate iPSCs and to rescue ESC self-renewal. Our results demonstrate that the OCT4-SOX2 configuration that dimerizes on a Hoxb1-like composite, a canonical element with juxtaposed individual binding sites, plays a more critical role in the induction and maintenance of pluripotency than other OCT4-SOX2 configurations. Overall, the results of this study provide a new insight into the protein interactions required to establish a de novo pluripotent network and to maintain a true pluripotent cell fate.
Project description:Protein-protein proximity of core pluripotency transcription factors plays an important role during cell reprogramming. Pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) cell identity is controlled by a trio of transcription factors: Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog. These proteins often bind to closely localized genomic sites. The precise mode by which Sox2, Oct4, and Nanog interact with DNA is likely to make a crucial contribution to their function. Here, a detailed protocol for in vivo detection and quantitative analysis of protein-protein proximity of Sox2 and Oct4 using Proximity Utilizing Biotinylation (PUB) method based on the use of the BAP/BirA (target/enzyme) system is described. The method includes design and cloning of DNA plasmid construct, transient transfection of HEK293T cells, Western blot analysis of nuclei fraction and LC-MS/MS analysis. Experiments with coexpression of BAP-X+BirA-Y (X, Y=Sox2, Oct4 and GFP as control) revealed strong biotinylation level of target proteins when X and Y were pluripotency transcription factors compared with control when X=GFP. Since mass spectrometry provides both high sensitivity and more accurate quantification of data a modified workflow was used, in which SDS-PAGE step was eliminated and His-tagged BAP-fused proteins from cell lysate were purified in 6M guanidine HCl buffer, washed, propionylated, digested directly on the Ni sepharose beads using trypsin and analysed on Q-TOF Impact II instrument. Using mass spectrometry allows making quantitative estimation of in vivo interaction of BAP-Sox2 and BirA-Oct4 which was demonstrated by measuring ratios of biotinylation levels of BAP fused either with Sox2 or GFP at different biotin pulse times. After vector preparation this protocol can be completed in seven working days.
Project description:Oct4 is a master regulator of pluripotency. Potential Oct4 interactors have been cataloged extensively but the manner and significance of these interactions are incompletely defined. Like other POU domain proteins, Oct4 is capable of binding to DNA in multiple configurations, however the relationship between these configurations and cofactor recruitment (and hence transcription output) are unknown. Here, we show that Oct4 interacts with common and unique proteins when bound to DNA in different configurations. One of these proteins is Jade1, a component of the HBO histone acetyltransferase complex. Jade1 preferentially associates with Oct4 when bound to More palindromic Octamer-Related Element (MORE) DNA sequences that bind Oct4 dimers and are associated with strong gene expression. We show that the Oct4 N-terminus is critical for this interaction. ChIP-seq using HBO1, the enzymatic component of the complex, identifies a preference for binding adjacent to Oct4 at MORE sites. Using purified recombinant proteins and nucleosome complexes, we show that the HBO1 complex acetylates histone H3K9 within nucleosomes more efficiently when Oct4 is co-bound to a MORE site. Histone acetylation is further increased when Oct4 is mutated to favor dimeric MORE binding. Cryo-electron microscopy reveals that Oct4 bound to a MORE near the nucleosome entry/exit site partially unwinds DNA from nucleosome core particles, and identifies additional mass associated with the HBO1 complex. These results identify a novel mechanism of transcriptional regulation by Oct4.
Project description:Chickarmane2008 - Stem cell lineage - NANOG GATA-6 switch
In this work, a dynamical model of lineage
determination based upon a minimal circuit, as discussed in PMID: 17215298
, which contains the Oct4/Sox2/Nanog core as well its interaction
with a few other key genes is discussed.
This model is described in the article:
A computational model for understanding stem cell, trophectoderm and endoderm lineage determination.
Chickarmane V, Peterson C
PloS one. 2008, 3(10):e3478
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have associated the transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog as parts of a self-regulating network which is responsible for maintaining embryonic stem cell properties: self renewal and pluripotency. In addition, mutual antagonism between two of these and other master regulators have been shown to regulate lineage determination. In particular, an excess of Cdx2 over Oct4 determines the trophectoderm lineage whereas an excess of Gata-6 over Nanog determines differentiation into the endoderm lineage. Also, under/over-expression studies of the master regulator Oct4 have revealed that some self-renewal/pluripotency as well as differentiation genes are expressed in a biphasic manner with respect to the concentration of Oct4. METHODOLOGY/
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We construct a dynamical model of a minimalistic network, extracted from ChIP-on-chip and microarray data as well as literature studies. The model is based upon differential equations and makes two plausible assumptions; activation of Gata-6 by Oct4 and repression of Nanog by an Oct4-Gata-6 heterodimer. With these assumptions, the results of simulations successfully describe the biphasic behavior as well as lineage commitment. The model also predicts that reprogramming the network from a differentiated state, in particular the endoderm state, into a stem cell state, is best achieved by over-expressing Nanog, rather than by suppression of differentiation genes such as Gata-6.
CONCLUSIONS: The computational model provides a mechanistic understanding of how different lineages arise from the dynamics of the underlying regulatory network. It provides a framework to explore strategies of reprogramming a cell from a differentiated state to a stem cell state through directed perturbations. Such an approach is highly relevant to regenerative medicine since it allows for a rapid search over the host of possibilities for reprogramming to a stem cell state.
This model is hosted on BioModels Database
and identified
by: MODEL8389825246
.
To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource
for published quantitative kinetic models
.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public
domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain
Dedication
for more information.
Project description:Chickarmane2008 - Stem cell lineage determination
In this work, a dynamical model of lineage
determination based upon a minimal circuit, as discussed in PMID: 17215298
, which contains the Oct4/Sox2/Nanog core as well its interaction
with a few other key genes is discussed.
This model is described in the article:
A computational model for understanding stem cell, trophectoderm and endoderm lineage determination.
Chickarmane V, Peterson C
PloS one. 2008, 3(10):e3478
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Recent studies have associated the transcription factors, Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog as parts of a self-regulating network which is responsible for maintaining embryonic stem cell properties: self renewal and pluripotency. In addition, mutual antagonism between two of these and other master regulators have been shown to regulate lineage determination. In particular, an excess of Cdx2 over Oct4 determines the trophectoderm lineage whereas an excess of Gata-6 over Nanog determines differentiation into the endoderm lineage. Also, under/over-expression studies of the master regulator Oct4 have revealed that some self-renewal/pluripotency as well as differentiation genes are expressed in a biphasic manner with respect to the concentration of Oct4. METHODOLOGY/
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We construct a dynamical model of a minimalistic network, extracted from ChIP-on-chip and microarray data as well as literature studies. The model is based upon differential equations and makes two plausible assumptions; activation of Gata-6 by Oct4 and repression of Nanog by an Oct4-Gata-6 heterodimer. With these assumptions, the results of simulations successfully describe the biphasic behavior as well as lineage commitment. The model also predicts that reprogramming the network from a differentiated state, in particular the endoderm state, into a stem cell state, is best achieved by over-expressing Nanog, rather than by suppression of differentiation genes such as Gata-6.
CONCLUSIONS: The computational model provides a mechanistic understanding of how different lineages arise from the dynamics of the underlying regulatory network. It provides a framework to explore strategies of reprogramming a cell from a differentiated state to a stem cell state through directed perturbations. Such an approach is highly relevant to regenerative medicine since it allows for a rapid search over the host of possibilities for reprogramming to a stem cell state.
This model is hosted on BioModels Database
and identified
by: MODEL8390025091
.
To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource
for published quantitative kinetic models
.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public
domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain
Dedication
for more information.
Project description:For years, reprogramming factors that induce pluripotency have been identified primarily from ESC-enriched factors, pluripotency-associated factors such as Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc, Nanog, Esrrb, Sall4, Utf1, Lin28, PRDM14, and Tet2. Through genome-wide screen we identified novel regulators of reprogramming. Our study is the first proof-of-principle report to suggest a putative general mathematical model. This model provides novel mechanistic insight into the fundamental understanding of the establishment of cellular identity during programming and reprogramming. Through genome-wide screen to identify novel factors of reprogramming in addition to Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, cMyc Through genome-wide screen to identify novel factors of reprogramming in addition to Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, cMyc. Induced pluripotent stem cells versus mouse embryonic fibroblast.
Project description:Chavez2009 - a core regulatory network of OCT4 in human embryonic stem cells
A core OCT4-regulated network has been identified as a test case, to analyase stem cell characteristics and cellular differentiation.
This model is described in the article:
In silico identification of a core regulatory network of OCT4 in human embryonic stem cells using an integrated approach.
Chavez L, Bais AS, Vingron M, Lehrach H, Adjaye J, Herwig R
BMC Genomics, 2009, 10:314
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The transcription factor OCT4 is highly expressed in pluripotent embryonic stem cells which are derived from the inner cell mass of mammalian blastocysts. Pluripotency and self renewal are controlled by a transcription regulatory network governed by the transcription factors OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG. Recent studies on reprogramming somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells highlight OCT4 as a key regulator of pluripotency.
RESULTS: We have carried out an integrated analysis of high-throughput data (ChIP-on-chip and RNAi experiments along with promoter sequence analysis of putative target genes) and identified a core OCT4 regulatory network in human embryonic stem cells consisting of 33 target genes. Enrichment analysis with these target genes revealed that this integrative analysis increases the functional information content by factors of 1.3 - 4.7 compared to the individual studies. In order to identify potential regulatory co-factors of OCT4, we performed a de novo motif analysis. In addition to known validated OCT4 motifs we obtained binding sites similar to motifs recognized by further regulators of pluripotency and development; e.g. the heterodimer of the transcription factors C-MYC and MAX, a prerequisite for C-MYC transcriptional activity that leads to cell growth and proliferation.
CONCLUSION: Our analysis shows how heterogeneous functional information can be integrated in order to reconstruct gene regulatory networks. As a test case we identified a core OCT4-regulated network that is important for the analysis of stem cell characteristics and cellular differentiation. Functional information is largely enriched using different experimental results. The de novo motif discovery identified well-known regulators closely connected to the OCT4 network as well as potential new regulators of pluripotency and differentiation. These results provide the basis for further targeted functional studies.
This model is hosted on BioModels Database
and identified
by: MODEL1305010000
.
To cite BioModels Database, please use: BioModels Database: An enhanced, curated and annotated resource
for published quantitative kinetic models
.
To the extent possible under law, all copyright and related or
neighbouring rights to this encoded model have been dedicated to the public
domain worldwide. Please refer to CC0 Public Domain
Dedication
for more information.
Project description:Oct4, along with Sox2 and Klf4 (SK), can induce pluripotency but structurally similar factors like Oct6 cannot. To decode why Oct4 has this unique ability, we compare Oct4-binding, accessibility patterns and transcriptional waves with Oct6 and an Oct4 mutant defective in the dimerization with Sox2 (Oct4defSox2). We find that initial silencing of the somatic program proceeds indistinguishably with or without Oct4. Oct6 mitigates the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and derails reprogramming. These effects are a consequence of differences in genome-wide binding, as the early binding profile of Oct4defSox2 resembles Oct4, whilst Oct6 does not bind pluripotency enhancers. Nevertheless, in the Oct6-SK condition many otherwise Oct4-bound locations become accessible but chromatin opening is compromised when Oct4defSox2 occupies these sites. We find that Sox2 predominantly facilitates chromatin opening, whilst Oct4 serves an accessory role. Formation of Oct4/Sox2 heterodimers is essential for pluripotency establishment; however, reliance on Oct4/Sox2 heterodimers declines during pluripotency maintenance.
Project description:Oct4, along with Sox2 and Klf4 (SK), can induce pluripotency but structurally similar factors like Oct6 cannot. To decode why Oct4 has this unique ability, we compare Oct4-binding, accessibility patterns and transcriptional waves with Oct6 and an Oct4 mutant defective in the dimerization with Sox2 (Oct4defSox2). We find that initial silencing of the somatic program proceeds indistinguishably with or without Oct4. Oct6 mitigates the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and derails reprogramming. These effects are a consequence of differences in genome-wide binding, as the early binding profile of Oct4defSox2 resembles Oct4, whilst Oct6 does not bind pluripotency enhancers. Nevertheless, in the Oct6-SK condition many otherwise Oct4-bound locations become accessible but chromatin opening is compromised when Oct4defSox2 occupies these sites. We find that Sox2 predominantly facilitates chromatin opening, whilst Oct4 serves an accessory role. Formation of Oct4/Sox2 heterodimers is essential for pluripotency establishment; however, reliance on Oct4/Sox2 heterodimers declines during pluripotency maintenance.
Project description:Oct4, along with Sox2 and Klf4 (SK), can induce pluripotency but structurally similar factors like Oct6 cannot. To decode why Oct4 has this unique ability, we compare Oct4-binding, accessibility patterns and transcriptional waves with Oct6 and an Oct4 mutant defective in the dimerization with Sox2 (Oct4defSox2). We find that initial silencing of the somatic program proceeds indistinguishably with or without Oct4. Oct6 mitigates the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and derails reprogramming. These effects are a consequence of differences in genome-wide binding, as the early binding profile of Oct4defSox2 resembles Oct4, whilst Oct6 does not bind pluripotency enhancers. Nevertheless, in the Oct6-SK condition many otherwise Oct4-bound locations become accessible but chromatin opening is compromised when Oct4defSox2 occupies these sites. We find that Sox2 predominantly facilitates chromatin opening, whilst Oct4 serves an accessory role. Formation of Oct4/Sox2 heterodimers is essential for pluripotency establishment; however, reliance on Oct4/Sox2 heterodimers declines during pluripotency maintenance.