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Related Concept Videos

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

Methods 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.
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming01:29

Somatic 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...
Pleiotropy01:33

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin 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...
Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps01:23

Regulation of Expression at Multiple Steps

The gene expression in cells is regulated at different stages: (i) transcription, (ii) RNA processing, (iii) RNA localization, and (iv) translation. Transcriptional regulation is mediated by regulatory proteins such as transcription factors, activators, or repressors—these control gene expression by initiating or inhibiting the transcription of genes. Once a precursor or pre-mRNA is produced, it undergoes post-transcriptional modification, including 5' capping, splicing, and the addition of a...
Combinatorial Gene Control02:33

Combinatorial 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...

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Blastomere Explants to Test for Cell Fate Commitment During Embryonic Development
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Published on: January 26, 2013

Sox2 modulates reprogramming of gene expression in two-cell mouse embryos.

Hua Pan1, Richard M Schultz

  • 1Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Biology of Reproduction
|May 6, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Sox2 is crucial for early embryonic development, regulating gene expression from the oocyte to blastomere transition. Its precise levels are critical, as too much Sox2 arrests embryo development at the 2-cell stage.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Gene Regulation
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Sox2 is a key transcription factor for pluripotency.
  • Its role in the oocyte-to-embryo transition and early blastomere development is unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Sox2 during the oocyte-to-embryo transition.
  • To determine the impact of Sox2 levels on early embryonic development and gene expression.

Main Methods:

  • Zygotic expression analysis of Sox2.
  • Overexpression of Sox2 and other factors (Pou5f1, Myc, Klf4) in 1-cell embryos.
  • Assessment of global transcription and transcript profiling.
  • Overexpression of dominant-negative Sox2.

Main Results:

  • Sox2 is zygotically expressed from the 2-cell stage, increasing significantly by the blastocyst stage.
  • Sox2 overexpression causes developmental arrest at the 2-cell stage, reducing global transcription and repressing key genes.
  • Dominant-negative Sox2 also impairs development and gene reprogramming, though to a lesser extent.

Conclusions:

  • Sox2 is a critical regulator of the oocyte-to-embryo transition and blastomere totipotency.
  • The precise amount of Sox2 is essential for the successful progression of early embryonic development.