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Updated: Feb 24, 2026

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal
Published on: May 30, 2012
Signaling networks in the control of pluripotency
1Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are characterized by their ability of unlimited self-renewal in vitro and pluripotent developmental potential, which endows them with great values in basic research and future clinical application. However, realization of full potential of ESCs is dependent on the elucidation of molecular mechanisms governing ESCs, among which signaling pathways play critical roles. A great deal of efforts has been made in the past decades to understand what and how signaling pathways contribute to the establishment and maintenance of pluripotency. In this review, we discuss signaling networks in both mouse and human ESCs, focusing on signals involved in the control of self-renewal and differentiation. In addition, the modulation of signaling pathways by pluripotency-associated transcription factors is also briefly summarized.
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