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Published on: May 30, 2012
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Nucleus-cytoskeleton communication impacts on OCT4-chromatin interactions in embryonic stem cells
Juan José Romero1, María Cecilia De Rossi1, Camila Oses1
1Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales (IQUIBICEN), CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, C1428EGA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
BMC Biology
|January 8, 2022
Summary
Cytoskeleton organization in embryonic stem cells influences nuclear shape and transcription factor OCT4 binding. Vimentin supports OCT4-chromatin interactions, potentially promoting stemness.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- The cytoskeleton transmits mechanical cues to the nucleus, influencing cellular responses.
- This mechanotransduction is vital in embryonic stem (ES) cells for regulating cell fate and development.
- Cytoskeleton organization and nuclear-cytoskeletal interactions in ES cells are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the three-dimensional cytoskeleton distribution in live ES cells.
- To determine how cytoskeletal components affect nuclear shape.
- To evaluate the influence of cytoskeletal components on the pluripotency transcription factor OCT4's chromatin binding.
Main Methods:
- Live imaging of three-dimensional cytoskeleton distribution in ES cells.
- Perturbation of cytoskeletal components (actin depolymerization, vimentin disruption).
- Assessment of OCT4 binding to chromatin targets.
Main Results:
- Cytoskeletal filaments were shown to influence ES cell nuclear shape.
- Actin depolymerization increased OCT4 chromatin binding.
- Vimentin disruption decreased OCT4 chromatin binding, indicating a role in preserving OCT4-chromatin interactions.
Conclusions:
- Cytoskeleton components shape the ES cell nucleus.
- Cytoskeleton influences OCT4 transcription factor interactions with chromatin.
- These interactions may play a role in maintaining pluripotency and directing cell fate.
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