Proteomic comparisons of differentiating embryonic stem cells, an in vitro model of embryogenesis

Abstract

Investigation of the genetic mechanisms driving embryogenetic differentiation has produced notable advances in disease research. However, reports on protein expression have been limited to comparisons between the undifferentiated and differentiated cellular states. Here, we use progressively differentiated embryonic stem cells as an in vitro model of embryogenesis. Using a quantitative proteomic approach, we explored protein regulation from mouse embryonic stem cells (ES), early primitive ectoderm‐like cells (EPL), and embryoid bodies (EB). A total of 2911 proteins were identified for the ES proteome, 1852 proteins for the EPL proteome, and 3328 proteins were identified in the embryoid body proteome. A total of 1509 proteins were shared across all three cell states and could be accuratly quantified. Differentially regulated proteins were then mapped to functional categories and correlated to embryogenetic events. This analysis represents a comprehensive investigation of protein expression during early embryogenesis.