Perturbation-expression analysis identifies RUNX1 as a regulator of human mammary stem cell differentiation.

ABSTRACT: The search for genes that regulate stem cell self-renewal and differentiation has been hindered by a paucity of markers that uniquely label stem cells and early progenitors. To circumvent this difficulty we have developed a method that identifies cell-state regulators without requiring any markers of differentiation, termed Perturbation-Expression Analysis of Cell States (PEACS). We have applied this marker-free approach to screen for transcription factors that regulate mammary stem cell differentiation in a 3D model of tissue morphogenesis and identified RUNX1 as a stem cell regulator. Inhibition of RUNX1 expanded bipotent stem cells and blocked their differentiation into ductal and lobular tissue rudiments. Reactivation of RUNX1 allowed exit from the bipotent state and subsequent differe

SUBMITTER: Sokol ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4404314 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature