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Updated: Jun 5, 2025

A Rapid In Vivo Bioassay for Developmentally Active Enhancers
EOMES establishes mesoderm and endoderm differentiation potential through SWI/SNF-mediated global enhancer remodeling
Chiara M Schröder1, Lea Zissel2, Sophie-Luise Mersiowsky3
1Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany; CIBSS - Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany.
The Tbx factor Eomes globally opens enhancers for mesendoderm (ME) lineage commitment in mouse stem cells. Eomes and the SWI/SNF complex rewire chromatin, overcoming default neuroectoderm (NE) differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- Mammalian pluripotent cells differentiate into distinct lineages like neuroectoderm (NE) or mesendoderm (ME).
- The interplay between transcription factors and chromatin modifications guiding cell specification is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Tbx factor Eomes in establishing mesendoderm (ME) lineage competence.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which Eomes influences chromatin accessibility and gene expression during cell differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation models.
- Analyzed the function of Eomes in conjunction with the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex.
- Investigated chromatin accessibility and gene expression patterns.
Main Results:
- Eomes globally establishes ME enhancer accessibility, a prerequisite for ME lineage competence.
- Eomes cooperates with the SWI/SNF complex to rewire chromatin, overriding default NE differentiation.
- ME-specific gene transcription is subsequently regulated by signals like Wnt and TGF-β/NODAL.
Conclusions:
- Eomes plays a crucial role in initiating ME lineage specification through global chromatin remodeling.
- Chromatin accessibility changes driven by Eomes are mechanistically distinct from later gene regulatory events.
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