Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Maintenance of the ES Cell State01:14

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

1.9K
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...
1.9K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

3.4K
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...
3.4K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

28.7K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
28.7K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

24.0K
24.0K
Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

1.5K
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...
1.5K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

6.0K
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
6.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Reaction Mechanism of Nitrogen Compounds in Gaseous Ethylene Followed by Catalytic Combustion-Chemiluminescence.

Luminescence : the journal of biological and chemical luminescence·2026
Same author

Controlled-release herbicide spheres: co-crystallization of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid with l-menthol via green oiling-out process for low leaching and high activity.

Pest management science·2026
Same author

The impact of 1-hour plasma glucose on the metabolic characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Nutrition & diabetes·2026
Same author

Correction: Deubiquitinase USP35 restrains STING-mediated interferon signaling in ovarian cancer.

Cell death and differentiation·2026
Same author

Thyroid hormones maintain parvalbumin neuron functions in the mouse neocortex.

iScience·2026
Same author

CDCA7 targets LSH to DNA maintenance methylation in S phase and transcription regulation in interphase via two distinct DNA-binding modes.

Nucleic acids research·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 26, 2026

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C
11:53

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C

Published on: June 1, 2018

6.1K

A methylation-phosphorylation switch determines Sox2 stability and function in ESC maintenance or differentiation.

Lan Fang1, Ling Zhang1, Wei Wei1

  • 1Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.

Molecular Cell
|July 22, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Sox2 protein levels in embryonic stem cells are controlled by a methylation-phosphorylation switch. This balance regulates pluripotency and cell fate by affecting Sox2 stability and degradation.

More Related Videos

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

10.4K
Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark
10:09

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Published on: January 26, 2018

6.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 26, 2026

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C
11:53

An Alternative Culture Method to Maintain Genomic Hypomethylation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Using MEK Inhibitor PD0325901 and Vitamin C

Published on: June 1, 2018

6.1K
Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images
09:42

Immunostaining for DNA Modifications: Computational Analysis of Confocal Images

Published on: September 7, 2017

10.4K
Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark
10:09

Isolation and Cultivation of Neural Progenitors Followed by Chromatin-Immunoprecipitation of Histone 3 Lysine 79 Dimethylation Mark

Published on: January 26, 2018

6.8K

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Molecular and cellular biology
  • Epigenetics and posttranslational modifications

Background:

  • Sox2 is crucial for maintaining embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency.
  • The posttranslational regulation of Sox2, particularly its precise protein levels, remains incompletely understood.
  • Understanding Sox2 regulation is key to controlling ESC fate and early development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the posttranslational mechanisms regulating Sox2 protein levels in ESCs.
  • To elucidate the interplay between methylation and phosphorylation in controlling Sox2 stability and function.
  • To determine the role of this regulatory switch in ESC maintenance and differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated Sox2 methylation at K119 by Set7 and its effect on transcriptional activity and ubiquitination.
  • Examined the role of E3 ligase WWP2 in ubiquitination of K119-methylated Sox2.
  • Analyzed the antagonistic effect of AKT1-mediated phosphorylation at T118 on Sox2 stability.
  • Compared the activities of Set7 and AKT1 in mouse ESCs and during early development.

Main Results:

  • Set7 monomethylates Sox2 at K119, inhibiting its activity and promoting ubiquitination/degradation via WWP2.
  • AKT1 phosphorylates Sox2 at T118, stabilizing the protein by counteracting Set7-mediated methylation.
  • In mouse ESCs, AKT1 activity dominates Set7, leading to Sox2 stabilization and pluripotency maintenance.
  • During early development, increased Set7 expression correlates with Sox2 downregulation and differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • A balanced switch between Sox2 methylation (by Set7) and phosphorylation (by AKT1) precisely regulates Sox2 protein levels.
  • This methylation-phosphorylation switch is critical for determining ESC fate, balancing pluripotency maintenance with differentiation.
  • The findings reveal a novel regulatory mechanism essential for early embryonic development.