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Control of embryonic stem cell lineage commitment by core promoter factor, TAF3
Zhe Liu1, Devin R Scannell, Michael B Eisen
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
Cell
|September 3, 2011
Summary
TAF3, a core promoter factor, is crucial for embryonic stem cell pluripotency. It regulates lineage differentiation and chromatin interactions, safeguarding developmental programs.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Understanding pluripotency is key to development and embryonic stem cell (ESC) research.
- The molecular mechanisms maintaining pluripotency are complex and incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of TAF3, a TBP-associated factor, in ESCs.
- To elucidate TAF3's function in lineage differentiation and chromatin regulation.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide binding studies to map TAF3 localization.
- Analysis of TAF3's interaction with CTCF and cohesin.
- Assessment of TAF3's role in endoderm, neuroectoderm, and mesoderm differentiation.
Main Results:
- TAF3 is highly enriched in ESCs and essential for endoderm differentiation.
- TAF3 prevents premature neuroectoderm and mesoderm specification.
- TAF3 binds to CTCF/cohesin-associated regions and mediates DNA looping.
Conclusions:
- TAF3 plays a novel role in regulating long-range chromatin interactions.
- These interactions are critical for maintaining the transcriptional balance of pluripotency.
- TAF3 acts as a key regulator in safeguarding ESC identity and differentiation potential.
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