Project description:A small number of transcription factors, including Oct-3/4 and Sox2, constitute the transcriptional network that maintains pluripotency in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Previous reports suggested that some of these factors form a complex that binds the Oct-Sox element, a composite sequence consisting of closely juxtaposed Oct-3/4-binding and Sox2-binding sites. However, little is known regarding the components of the complex. In this study, we show that Sall4, a member of the Spalt-like family of proteins, directly interacts with Sox2 and Oct-3/4. Sall4 in combination with Sox2 or Oct-3/4 simultaneously occupies the Oct-Sox elements in mouse ES cells. Sall4 knockdown led to differentiation of ES cells. Overexpression of Sall4 in ES cells increased reporter activities in a luciferase assay when the Pou5f1- or Nanog-derived Oct-Sox element was included in the reporter. Microarray analyses revealed that Sall4 and Sox2 bound to the same genes in ES cells significantly more frequently than expected from random coincidence. These factors appeared to bind the promoter regions of a subset of the Sall4- and Sox2-double-positive genes in precisely similar distribution patterns along the promoter regions, suggesting that Sall4 and Sox2 associate with such Sall4/Sox2-overlapping genes as a complex. Importantly, gene ontology analyses indicated that the Sall4/Sox2-overlapping gene set is enriched for genes involved in maintaining pluripotency. Sall4/Sox2/Oct-3/4-triple-positive genes identified by referring to a previous study identifying Oct-3/4-bound genes in ES cells were further enriched for pluripotency genes than Sall4/Sox2-double-positive genes. These results demonstrate that Sall4 contributes to the transcriptional network operating in pluripotent cells, together with Oct-3/4 and Sox2.
Project description:Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of human B-ALL cell line SEM after 48 h incubation with DMSO (control), CX-4945 (Silmitasertib), Decitabine (DEC) or combined CX-4945 + DEC treatment. The Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip was used to obtain DNA methylation profiles across approximately 866,895 CpG islands.
Project description:MicroRNA expression profiling in matched lesional skin samples from 25 patients with psoriasis using the miRNA analysis platform miRCURY LNATM MicroRNA array (v. 11.0) (Exiqon). Aim: To explore the effect of three different preservation methods (Formalin-fixation paraffin-embedding (FFPE), frozen (FS) and OCT-embedding (OCT)) on miRNA expression levels in matched lesional skin samples from 25 patients with psoriasis.
Project description:Decitabine (DEC) has a known DNA demethylating activity but also cause cytotoxicity through DNA damage. The two differing mechanisms of action confound studies investigating the effect of DNA demethylation in cancer treatment. The novel DNA methyltransferase 1 specific inhibitor GSK-3685032 causes loss of DNA methylation without DNA damage and offers the possibility to examine the molecular consequences of global loss of DNA methylation. EM-seq was used to evaluate the DNA demethylating effects of DEC and GSK-3685032 in LOUCY and SUP-T1 cells treated with 10 nM Decitabine for 3 days or 300 nM of GSK-3685032 for 3 and 7 days.
Project description:EWS-Oct-4 can effectively replace Oct-4, which has significant implications for advancements in stem cell research and regenerative medicine