ERK signalling eliminates Nanog and maintains Oct4 to drive the formative pluripotency transition

Naïve epiblast cells in the embryo and pluripotent stem cells in vitro undergo developmental progression to a formative state competent for lineage specification. During this transition, transcription factors and chromatin are rewired to encode new functional features. Here, we examine the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2) signalling in pluripotent state transition. We show that a primary consequence of ERK activation in mouse embryonic stem cells is elimination of Nanog, which precipitates breakdown of the naïve state gene regulatory network. Variability in pERK dynamics results in heterogeneous loss of Nanog and metachronous state transition. Knockdown of Nanog allows exit without ERK activation. However, transition to formative pluripotency does not proceed and cells collapse to an indeterminate identity. This outcome is due to failure to maintain expression of the central pluripotency factor Oct4. Thus, during formative transition ERK signalling both dismantles the naïve state and preserves pluripotency. These results illustrate how a single signalling pathway can both initiate and secure transition between cell states.