Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

In Vitro Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells into Trophoblastic Cells
Published on: March 16, 2017
A Dynamic Role of TBX3 in the Pluripotency Circuitry
Ronan Russell1, Marcus Ilg1, Qiong Lin2
1Department of Internal Medicine I, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
Abstract:
Pluripotency represents a cell state comprising a fine-tuned pattern of transcription factor activity required for embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal. TBX3 is the earliest expressed member of the T-box transcription factor family and is involved in maintenance and induction of pluripotency. Hence, TBX3 is believed to be a key member of the pluripotency circuitry, with loss of TBX3 coinciding with loss of pluripotency. We report a dynamic expression of TBX3 in vitro and in vivo using genetic reporter tools tracking TBX3 expression in mouse ESCs (mESCs). Low TBX3 levels are associated with reduced pluripotency, resembling the more mature epiblast. Notably, TBX3-low cells maintain the intrinsic capability to switch to a TBX3-high state and vice versa. Additionally, we show TBX3 to be dispensable for induction and maintenance of naive pluripotency as well as for germ cell development. These data highlight novel facets of TBX3 action in mESCs.
Related Concept Videos
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Combinatorial Gene Control
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...
Master Transcription Regulators
Maintenance of the ES Cell State
General Transcription Factors
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

