Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

The use of SC1 (Pluripotin) to Support mESC Self-renewal in the Absence of LIF
Published on: November 18, 2009
Role of Lef1 in sustaining self-renewal in mouse embryonic stem cells
1Stem Cell and Cancer Biology Group, Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.
Abstract:
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can self-renew indefinitely while maintaining the ability to generate all three germ-layer derivatives. Despite the importance of ESCs in developmental biology and their potential impact on regenerative medicine, the molecular mechanisms controlling ESC behavior are incompletely understood. Previously, activation of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway has been shown to contribute to mouse ESC self-renewal. Here we report that ectopic expression of Lef1, a component of the Wnt signaling pathway, has a positive effect on the self-renewal of mouse ESCs. Lef1 up-regulates Oct4 promoter activity and physically interacts with Nanog, two key components of the ESC pluripotency machinery. Moreover, siRNA for Lef1 induced mouse ESC differentiation. Our results thus suggest that in response to Wnt signaling Lef1 binds to stabilized beta-catenin and helps maintain the undifferentiated status of ESCs through modulation of Oct4 and Nanog.
More Related Videos
08:01Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal
Published on: May 30, 2012
12:44Identification of Key Factors Regulating Self-renewal and Differentiation in EML Hematopoietic Precursor Cells by RNA-sequencing Analysis
Published on: November 11, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Maintenance of the ES Cell State
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Lineage Commitment
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells