Open AccessInteraction Between Sympk and Oct4 Promotes Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Proliferation
Author(s) -
Yu Jianping,
Lu Weisi,
Ge Tianyu,
Huang Rui,
Chen Bohong,
Ye Miaoman,
Bai Yaofu,
Shi Guang,
Songyang Zhou,
Ma Wenbin,
Huang Junjiu
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.2992
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology , embryonic stem cell , stem cell , induced pluripotent stem cell , homeobox protein nanog , cellular differentiation , rex1 , genetics , gene
The scaffold protein Symplekin (Sympk) is involved in cytoplasmic RNA polyadenylation, transcriptional modulation, and the regulation of epithelial differentiation and proliferation via tight junctions. It is highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), in which its role remains unknown. In this study, we found Sympk overexpression in mouse ESCs significantly increased colony formation, and Sympk deletion via CRISPR/Cas9 decreased colony formation. Sympk promoted ESC growth and its overexpression sustained ESC pluripotency, as assessed by teratoma and chimeric mouse formation. Genomic stability was preserved in these cells after long‐term passage. The domain of unknown function 3453 (DUF3453) in Sympk was required for its interaction with the key pluripotent factor Oct4, and its depletion led to impaired colony formation. Sympk activated proliferation‐related genes and suppressed differentiation‐related genes. Our results indicate that Sympk interacts with Oct4 to promote self‐renewal and pluripotency in ESCs and preserves genome integrity; accordingly, it has potential value for stem cell therapies. Stem Cells 2019;37:743–753