Transient pairing of homologous Oct4 alleles accompanies the onset of embryonic stem cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT: The relationship between chromatin organization and transcriptional regulation is an area of intense investigation. We characterized the spatial relationships between alleles of the Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog genes in single cells during the earliest stages of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC) differentiation and during embryonic development. We describe homologous pairing of the Oct4 alleles during ESC differentiation and embryogenesis, and we present evidence that pairing is correlated with the kinetics of ESC differentiation. Importantly, we identify critical DNA elements within the Oct4 promoter/enhancer region that mediate pairing of Oct4 alleles. Finally, we show that mutation of OCT4/SOX2 binding sites within this region abolishes inter-chromosomal interactions and affects accumulation of

SUBMITTER: Hogan MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4355581 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature