The pluripotency-associated gene Dppa4 is dispensable for embryonic stem cell identity and germ cell development but essential for embryogenesis.

ABSTRACT: Dppa4 (developmental pluripotency-associated 4) has been identified in several high-profile screens as a gene that is expressed exclusively in pluripotent cells. It encodes a nuclear protein with an SAP-like domain and appears to be associated preferentially with transcriptionally active chromatin. Its exquisite expression pattern and results of RNA interference experiments have led to speculation that Dppa4, as well as its nearby homolog Dppa2, might play essential roles in embryonic stem (ES) cell function and/or germ cell development. To rigorously assess suggested roles, we have generated Dppa4-deficient and Dppa4/Dppa2 doubly deficient ES cells, as well as mice lacking Dppa4. Contrary to predictions, we find that Dppa4 is completely dispensable for ES cell identity and germ cell devel

SUBMITTER: Madan B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2682008 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature