Feed-forward loops by NR5A2 ensure robust gene activation during pre-implantation development.

ABSTRACT: Pioneer transcription factors are crucial for regulating zygotic genome activation and cell differentiation during mouse pre-implantation development. However, how pioneer factors function collectively to regulate early development remains poorly understood. Here, we determined the chromatin-binding profiles of the mouse pioneer factor NR5A2 during the totipotency-to-pluripotency transition and identified KLF and GATA family transcription factors as key co-regulators. NR5A2 regulates the expression of Klf5 and Gata6, the protein products of which in turn act as co-regulators of NR5A2 to promote development. Mechanistically, KLF5 contributes to H3K27ac deposition at genomic regions co-occupied by NR5A2. NR5A2 also regulates Xist expression, either directly or indirectly, through its role in

SUBMITTER: Kobayashi W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12848575 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature