Abstract
Pluripotent cells have the potential to differentiate into all of the cell types of an animal. This unique cell state is governed by an interconnected network of transcription factors. Among these, Oct4 plays an essential role both in the development of pluripotent cells in the embryo and in the self-renewal of its in vitro counterpart, embryonic stem (ES) cells. Furthermore, Oct4 is one of the four Yamanaka factors and its overexpression alone can generate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Recent reports underscore Oct4 as an essential regulator of opposing cell state transitions, such as pluripotency establishment and differentiation into embryonic germ lineages. Here we discuss these recent studies and the potential mechanisms underlying these contrasting functions of Oct4.
Highlights
Oct4 in pluripotency Cell identity is characterised by a stable, unique, selfsustaining gene expression pattern
It was demonstrated that Gata and HNF factors possess a strong ability to open repressive chromatin [59,86]. This may suggest that Oct4 and other reprogramming factors can be replaced as initiators of reprogramming by any transcription regulator or chromatin remodeller with pioneer activity
This could indicate whether Oct4 may act as a pioneer factor during cell differentiation, providing competence for the establishment of new gene expression patterns in development. This would unite the seemingly contradictory roles of Oct4 in the acquisition and loss of pluripotency. These results describe Oct4 as an essential pan-regulator of cell commitment, potentially involved in silencing of the pluripotency programme and the establishment of lineage-specific gene expression identities instructed by environmental signals
Summary
KSM + human Oct KSM + Xenopus Oct KSM + medaka Pou KSM + axolotl Oct KSM + axolotl Pou KSM + axolotl Oct KSM + axolotl Pou KM + axolotl Oct4 + axolotl Sox KM + axolotl Pou2 + axolotl Sox KSM + A-OD3 (TALE-based designer transcriptional activator of Oct4)
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