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Global expression of cell surface proteins in embryonic stem cells
Bin Gu1, Jiarong Zhang, Wei Wang
1The Institute of Cell Biology and Genetics, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Plos One
|January 7, 2011
Summary
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) globally express a wide range of cell surface proteins, not just at the mRNA level. This broad protein expression suggests functional roles in signal reception and differentiation, impacting cell surface marker screening.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Proteomics
- Cell surface protein expression
Background:
- Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exhibit global gene expression at the mRNA level.
- The propagation of this global expression to the protein level, particularly for cell surface proteins, remains largely uncharacterized.
- Understanding cell surface protein expression is critical for elucidating ESC functions and differentiation pathways.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if embryonic stem cells (ESCs) globally express cell surface proteins at the functional protein level.
- To investigate the diversity and functional categories of cell surface proteins in ESCs.
- To assess the implications of this expression for ESC biology and marker screening.
Main Methods:
- Purification of mouse ESC surface proteins using biotin labeling.
- Proteomics analysis to identify and characterize the identified surface proteins.
- Comparison of protein expression patterns between mouse and human ESCs.
Main Results:
- Identification of approximately 1000 transmembrane or secreted cell surface proteins in mouse ESCs.
- These proteins encompass diverse functional categories, including signal transduction, adhesion, and transport.
- Promiscuous and heterogeneous expression of tissue-specific surface proteins was observed in both mouse and human ESCs.
Conclusions:
- Global gene expression in ESCs extends to the functional protein level, not solely due to leaky transcription.
- Diverse cell surface proteins likely enable ESCs to perceive various extracellular differentiation signals.
- The promiscuous expression of tissue-specific proteins offers novel strategies for cell surface marker identification.
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