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Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal
Published on: May 30, 2012
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Auxetic nuclei in embryonic stem cells exiting pluripotency
Stefano Pagliara1, Kristian Franze2, Crystal R McClain1,3
1Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, UK.
Nature Materials
|April 22, 2014
Summary
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exhibit unique auxetic nuclear properties during differentiation transitions. This nuclear auxeticity, driven by chromatin changes, is crucial for regulating cell differentiation and reprogramming.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) self-renew in a pluripotent state.
- A hypothesized metastable transition state precedes irreversible cell commitment.
- This transition is considered a gateway for differentiation and reprogramming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physical properties of ESC nuclei during the transition state.
- To elucidate the role of nuclear structure in cell differentiation and reprogramming.
Main Methods:
- Mechanical testing of ESC nuclei.
- Analysis of nuclear structural changes, including chromatin condensation.
- Investigation of auxetic properties under compression and stretching.
Main Results:
- ESC nuclei exhibit auxetic behavior during the transition state, expanding when stretched and contracting when compressed.
- Nuclear stiffness increases under compression.
- This auxetic phenotype is linked to global chromatin decondensation.
Conclusions:
- Nuclear auxeticity in transition ESCs is a key feature regulated by chromatin structure.
- Mechanotransduction via nuclear forces may play a role in regulating molecular turnover during differentiation.
- Nuclear structure is important for controlling cell differentiation and reprogramming processes.
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