P21-Activated Kinase 4 Pak4 Maintains Embryonic Stem Cell Pluripotency via Akt Activation.

ABSTRACT: Exploiting the pluripotent properties of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) holds great promise for regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, directing ESC differentiation into specialized cell lineages requires intricate control governed by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors along with the actions of specific signaling networks. Here, we reveal the involvement of the p21-activated kinase 4 (Pak4), a serine/threonine kinase, in sustaining murine ESC (mESC) pluripotency. Pak4 is highly expressed in R1 ESC cells compared with embryonic fibroblast cells and its expression is progressively decreased during differentiation. Manipulations using knockdown and overexpression demonstrated a positive relationship between Pak4 expression and the clonogenic potential of mESCs. Moreover, ectopic Pak4 expression

SUBMITTER: Cheng F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9585903 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature