Recruitment of Oct4 protein to UV-damaged chromatin in embryonic stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Oct4 is a specific marker of embryonic stem cell (ESC) pluripotency. However, little is known regarding how Oct4 responds to DNA damage. Here, we investigated whether Oct4 recognizes damaged chromatin in mouse ESCs stably expressing GFP-Oct4. These experiments should contribute to the knowledge of how ESC genomic integrity is maintained, which is crucial for potential application of human ESCs in regenerative medicine.

Methodology/principal findings

We used time-lapse confocal microscopy, microirradiation by UV laser (355 nm), induction of DNA lesions by specific agents, and GFP technology to study the Oct4 response to DNA damage. We found that Oct4 accumulates in UV-damaged regions immediately after irradiation in an adenosine triphosphate-dependent manner. Intri

SUBMITTER: Bartova E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3229488 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature