Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
13:03
Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2016
Epigenetic control of embryonic stem cell fate
Nicolaj Strøyer Christophersen1, Kristian Helin
1Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 27, 2010
Summary
Embryonic stem (ES) cells maintain pluripotency through a balance of stability and plasticity. Epigenetic mechanisms, particularly chromatin methylation involving Polycomb group (PcG) complexes and DNA methylation, are key regulators of ES cell fate.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent, originating from the preimplantation embryo's inner cell mass.
- Maintaining the balance between ES cell self-renewal (stability) and differentiation (plasticity) is crucial for their therapeutic potential.
- Understanding the molecular regulation of stemness is vital for advancing regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current models of how chromatin methylation influences embryonic stem cell fate.
- To focus on the roles of Polycomb group (PcG) repressive complexes and promoter DNA methylation in regulating ES cell pluripotency.
- To provide insights into the molecular switches governing ES cell self-renewal versus differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on chromatin methylation and ES cell fate.
- Focus on models detailing the mechanisms of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes.
- Analysis of studies investigating promoter DNA methylation in ES cells.
Main Results:
- Chromatin methylation plays a significant role in modulating ES cell fate.
- Two major repressive pathways, Polycomb group (PcG) complexes and promoter DNA methylation, are central to regulating pluripotency.
- These epigenetic mechanisms are critical for maintaining the stability and plasticity of embryonic stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic regulation, specifically through chromatin methylation, is fundamental to controlling embryonic stem cell pluripotency.
- Further understanding of Polycomb group (PcG) complexes and DNA methylation can enhance the therapeutic applications of ES cells.
- Identifying these molecular regulators offers insights into the fundamental nature of the pluripotent state.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.
02:33Combinatorial Gene Control
Combinatorial gene control is the synergistic action of several transcriptional factors to regulate the expression of a single gene. The absence of one or more of these factors may lead to a significant difference in the level of gene expression or repression.
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
01:29Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for this...
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...