SCAN:Role of the transcription factor Cited2 in embryonic stem cells

Abstract:

Embryonic stem cells (ESC) have the ability to proliferate in culture for long periods of time (self-renewal) and to differentiate into all adult tissue cell lineages (pluripotency) under specific conditions. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS), generated by reprogramming of mouse or human somatic cells by expression of defined transcription factors are cells with properties indistinguishable from those of ESC. Both ESC and iPS have been differentiated in vitro into a variety of cell types and hold a promising clinical potential for future cell-based therapies. However, risks of developing cancer associated with the pluripotent nature of ESC and iPS, the reprogramming process, as well as the immune rejection of cells genetically unrelated to the patient, keep holding back their clinical application. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms of the reprogramming process and identification of key genes involved in pluripotency and differentiation of ESC and iPS is necessary to overcome these issues. We have previously showed that Cited2 is a transcription factor playing key roles in mouse embryonic development and we are currently studying its role in the maintenance of pluripotency, self-renewal and differentiation processes of mouse ESC. We will present our recent observations indicating that Cited2 is involved in self-renewal and prevents spontaneous differentiation of E14Tg2a mouse ESC.