Systems Analyses Reveal Shared and Diverse Attributes of Oct4 Regulation in Pluripotent Cells

Li Ding, Maciej Paszkowski-Rogacz, Maria Winzi, Debojyoti Chakraborty, Mirko Theis, Sukhdeep Singh, Giovanni Ciotta, Ina Poser, Assen Roguev, Wai Kit Chu, Chuna Ram Choudhary, Matthias Mann, A Francis Stewart, Nevan Krogan, Frank Buchholz

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We combine a genome-scale RNAi screen in mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) with genetic interaction, protein localization, and "protein-level dependency" studies-a systematic technique that uncovers post-transcriptional regulation-to delineate the network of factors that control the expression of Oct4, a key regulator of pluripotency. Our data signify that there are similarities, but also fundamental differences in Oct4 regulation in EpiSCs versus embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Through multiparametric data analyses, we predict that Tox4 is associating with the Paf1C complex, which maintains cell identity in both cell types, and validate that this protein-protein interaction exists in ESCs and EpiSCs. We also identify numerous knockdowns that increase Oct4 expression in EpiSCs, indicating that, in stark contrast to ESCs, Oct4 is under active repressive control in EpiSCs. These studies provide a framework for better understanding pluripotency and for dissecting the molecular events that govern the transition from the pre-implantation to the post-implantation state.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCell Systems
Volume1
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)141-151
Number of pages11
ISSN2405-4712
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Aug 2015

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