A NANOG-pERK reciprocal regulatory circuit regulates Nanog autoregulation and ERK signaling dynamics

The self-renewal and differentiation potential of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) is maintained by the regulated expression of core pluripotency factors. Expression levels of the core pluripotency factor Nanog are tightly regulated by a negative feedback autorepression loop. However, it remains unclear how ESCs perceive NANOG levels and execute autorepression. Here, we show that a dose-dependent induction of Fgfbp1 and Fgfr2 by NANOG activates autocrine-mediated ERK signaling in Nanog-high cells to trigger autorepression. pERK recruits NONO to the Nanog locus to repress transcription by preventing POL2 loading. This Nanog autorepression process establishes a self-perpetuating reciprocal NANOG-pERK regulatory circuit. We further demonstrate that this reciprocal regulatory circuit induces pERK heterogeneity and ERK signaling dynamics in pluripotent stem cells. Collectively our data suggest that NANOG induces Fgfr2 and Fgfbp1 to activate ERK signaling in Nanog-high cells to establish a NANOG-pERK reciprocal regulatory circuit. This circuit regulates ERK signaling dynamics and Nanog autoregulation in pluripotent cells.