Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
08:01
Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal
Published on: May 30, 2012
10.8K
Beyond selection: How chromosome 12 gain dominates stem cell genomes
Orléna Benamozig1, Ofer Shoshani1
1Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|October 22, 2025
Summary
Trisomy 12 in human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) arises from chromosome missegregation due to telomere erosion. This genetic instability, combined with a growth advantage, leads to rapid iPSC population expansion.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Stem Cell Research
Background:
- Trisomy 12 is a common observation in pluripotent stem cell lines.
- The underlying mechanisms driving trisomy 12 in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the driving forces behind trisomy 12 in human iPSCs.
- To elucidate the relationship between sub-telomeric erosion, chromosome missegregation, and population dynamics in iPSCs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human-induced pluripotent stem cells exhibiting trisomy 12.
- Investigation of chromosomal missegregation events.
- Assessment of sub-telomeric integrity and its correlation with trisomy.
Main Results:
- Trisomy 12 in iPSCs is driven by continuous chromosome missegregation events.
- Sub-telomeric erosion is identified as a key factor contributing to missegregation.
- A modest growth advantage associated with trisomy 12 facilitates rapid population takeover.
Conclusions:
- Sub-telomeric erosion and subsequent missegregation are the primary drivers of trisomy 12 in iPSCs.
- The genetic instability coupled with a growth advantage explains the prevalence of trisomy 12 in iPSC cultures.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for stem cell research and therapeutic applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
2.1K
Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...
2.1K
01:19Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
3.8K
The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
3.8K
03:17Inheritance of Chromatin Structures
7.3K
Epigenetics is the study of inherited changes in a cell's phenotype without changing the DNA sequences. It provides a form of memory for the differential gene expression pattern to maintain cell lineage, position-effect variegation, dosage compensation, and maintenance of chromatin structures such as telomeres and centromeres. For example, the structure and location of the centromere on chromosomes are epigenetically inherited. Its functionality is not dictated or ensured by the underlying...
7.3K
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
2.7K
The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
2.7K
01:26Stem Cell Niche
6.2K
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
6.2K
01:29Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
2.6K
Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012...
2.6K