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Chromatin regulatory mechanisms in pluripotency
Julie A Lessard1, Gerald R Crabtree
1Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, University of Montreal, Montreal H3C 3J7, Quebec, Canada. j.lessard.1@umontreal.ca
Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology
|July 14, 2010
Summary
Stem cell pluripotency relies on transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes. Genetic studies reveal dynamic histone modifications and surprising reversibility, guiding future therapeutic applications.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Epigenetics
- Molecular genetics
Background:
- Stem cells maintain a stable, heritable state enabling diverse developmental pathways.
- Recent advances focus on understanding the initiation and termination of these states.
- Transcription factors and chromatin-modifying enzymes are key regulators of pluripotency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding stem cell pluripotency.
- To highlight the roles of transcription factors and chromatin remodeling complexes.
- To discuss the implications of dynamic histone modifications and genetic findings for future research.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic studies implicating specific factors and complexes.
- Analysis of findings related to transcription factors and chromatin remodelers.
- Examination of recent data on histone modification dynamics.
Main Results:
- Transcription factors are strongly implicated in pluripotency.
- ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complexes, like esBAF, play crucial roles in reprogramming.
- Histone modifications are dynamic and rapidly reversible, posing questions about their role in stable pluripotency.
- Global effects of chromatin regulator mutations can be reversed by single target genes.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the mechanisms of pluripotency is advancing rapidly.
- Chromatin regulators and dynamic epigenetic modifications are central to pluripotency.
- Future research should focus on mechanistic studies to harness pluripotency for therapeutic goals.
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