Project description:Cell fate decisions during development are governed by multi-factorial regulatory mechanisms including chromatin remodelling, DNA methylation, binding of transcription factors to specific loci, RNA transcription and protein synthesis. However, the mechanisms by which such regulatory 'dimensions' coordinate cell fate decisions are currently poorly understood. Here we quantified the multi-dimensional molecular changes that occur in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) upon depletion of Estrogen related receptor beta (Esrrb), a key pluripotency regulator. Analyses of coordinated expression changes identified strikingly different epigenetic regulatory patterns of pluripotency and differentiation states. Comparative analyses of expression changes subsequent to depletion of Esrrb or Nanog, indicated that a system of interlocked feed-forward loops involving both factors plays a central part in regulating the timing of mESC fate decisions. Taken together, our meta-analyses support a hierarchical model in which pluripotency is maintained by an Oct4-Sox2 regulatory module, while the timing of differentiation is regulated by a Nanog-Esrrb
Project description:Cell fate decisions during development are governed by multi-factorial regulatory mechanisms including chromatin remodelling, DNA methylation, binding of transcription factors to specific loci, RNA transcription and protein synthesis. However, the mechanisms by which such regulatory 'dimensions' coordinate cell fate decisions are currently poorly understood. Here we quantified the multi-dimensional molecular changes that occur in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) upon depletion of Estrogen related receptor beta (Esrrb), a key pluripotency regulator. Analyses of coordinated expression changes identified strikingly different epigenetic regulatory patterns of pluripotency and differentiation states. Comparative analyses of expression changes subsequent to depletion of Esrrb or Nanog, indicated that a system of interlocked feed-forward loops involving both factors plays a central part in regulating the timing of mESC fate decisions. Taken together, our meta-analyses support a hierarchical model in which pluripotency is maintained by an Oct4-Sox2 regulatory module, while the timing of differentiation is regulated by a Nanog-Esrrb
Project description:Cell fate decisions during development are governed by multi-factorial regulatory mechanisms including chromatin remodelling, DNA methylation, binding of transcription factors to specific loci, RNA transcription and protein synthesis. However, the mechanisms by which such regulatory 'dimensions' coordinate cell fate decisions are currently poorly understood. Here we quantified the multi-dimensional molecular changes that occur in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) upon depletion of Estrogen related receptor beta (Esrrb), a key pluripotency regulator. Analyses of coordinated expression changes identified strikingly different epigenetic regulatory patterns of pluripotency and differentiation states. Comparative analyses of expression changes subsequent to depletion of Esrrb or Nanog, indicated that a system of interlocked feed-forward loops involving both factors plays a central part in regulating the timing of mESC fate decisions. Taken together, our meta-analyses support a hierarchical model in which pluripotency is maintained by an Oct4-Sox2 regulatory module, while the timing of differentiation is regulated by a Nanog-Esrrb
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE34904: NANOG-OCT4-SOX2 Regulatory Module in Human Embryonic Stem Cells (dataset 1) GSE34912: NANOG-OCT4-SOX2 Regulatory Module in Human Embryonic Stem Cells (dataset 2) GSE34918: NANOG-OCT4-SOX2 Regulatory Module in Human Embryonic Stem Cells (dataset 3) GSE34920: NANOG-OCT4-SOX2 Regulatory Module in Human Embryonic Stem Cells (dataset 4) Refer to individual Series
Project description:A number of key regulators of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell identity, including the transcription factor Nanog, show strong expression fluctuations at the single cell level. The molecular basis for these fluctuations is unknown. Here we used a genetic complementation strategy to investigate expression changes during transient periods of Nanog downregulation. Employing an integrated approach, that includes high-throughput single cell transcriptional profiling and mathematical modelling, we found that early molecular changes subsequent to Nanog loss are stochastic and reversible. However, analysis also revealed that Nanog loss severely compromises the self-sustaining feedback structure of the ES cell regulatory network. Consequently, these nascent changes soon become consolidated to committed fate decisions in the prolonged absence of Nanog. Consistent with this, we found that exogenous regulation of Nanog-dependent feedback control mechanisms produced more a homogeneous ES cell population. Taken together our results indicate that Nanog-dependent feedback loops play a role in controlling both ES cell fate decisions and population variability.