VGLL1 contributes to both the transcriptome and epigenome of the developing trophoblast compartment.

ABSTRACT: The trophectoderm (TE), the first lineage specified during mammalian development, initiates implantation and gives rise to placental trophoblasts. While animal models have elucidated key conserved signaling pathways involved in early TE specification, including bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), WNT, and HIPPO, species-specific differences during early development emphasize the need for human-specific models. We previously identified VGLL1, a coactivator of TEAD transcription factors, as a human-specific placental marker. In this study, we employed a pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based model of TE induction by BMP4 to investigate chromatin remodeling and transcriptional dynamics during TE formation. BMP4-induced chromatin accessibility changes promoted a trophoblast gene expression program, w

SUBMITTER: Calderon RI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12685074 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature