Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
4
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-4-30
pubmed:abstractText
Previous studies have demonstrated that the transcription factor Sox2 is essential during the early stages of development. Furthermore, decreasing the expression of Sox2 severely interferes with the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem (ES) cells. Other studies have shown that Sox2, in conjunction with the transcription factor Oct-3/4, stimulates its own transcription as well as the expression of a growing list of genes (Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes) that require the cooperative action of Sox2 and Oct-3/4. Remarkably, recent studies have shown that overexpression of Sox2 decreases expression of its own gene, as well as four other Sox2:Oct-3/4 target genes (Oct-3/4, Nanog, Fgf-4, and Utf1). This finding led to the prediction that overexpression of Sox2 in ES cells would trigger their differentiation. In the current study, we initially engineered mouse ES cells for inducible overexpression of Sox2. Using this model system, we demonstrate that small increases (twofold or less) in Sox2 protein trigger the differentiation of ES cells into cells that exhibit markers for a wide range of differentiated cell types, including neuroectoderm, mesoderm, and trophectoderm but not endoderm. We also demonstrate that elevating the levels of Sox2 quickly downregulates several developmentally regulated genes, including Nanog, and a newly identified Sox2:Oct-3/4 target gene, Lefty1. Together, these data argue that the self-renewal of ES cells requires that Sox2 levels be maintained within narrow limits. Thus, Sox2 appears to function as a molecular rheostat that controls the expression of a critical set of embryonic genes, as well as the self-renewal and differentiation of ES cells.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Apr
pubmed:issn
1549-4918
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
26
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
903-11
pubmed:dateRevised
2008-11-21
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Small increases in the level of Sox2 trigger the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells.
pubmed:affiliation
Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural