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E‐cadherin is crucial for embryonic stem cell pluripotency and can replace OCT4 during somatic cell reprogramming
Author(s) -
Redmer Torben,
Diecke Sebastian,
Grigoryan Tamara,
QuirogaNegreira Angel,
Birchmeier Walter,
Besser Daniel
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1038/embor.2011.88
Subject(s) - reprogramming , sox2 , klf4 , microbiology and biotechnology , induced pluripotent stem cell , cadherin , embryonic stem cell , biology , cell potency , stem cell , somatic cell , cellular differentiation , cell , genetics , gene
We report new functions of the cell‐adhesion molecule E‐cadherin in murine pluripotent cells. E‐cadherin is highly expressed in mouse embryonic stem cells, and interference with E‐cadherin causes differentiation. During cellular reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts by OCT4, SOX2, KLF4 and c‐MYC, fully reprogrammed cells were exclusively observed in the E‐cadherin‐positive cell population and could not be obtained in the absence of E‐cadherin. Moreover, reprogrammed cells could be established by viral E‐cadherin in the absence of exogenous OCT4. Thus, reprogramming requires spatial cues that cross‐talk with essential transcription factors. The cell‐adhesion molecule E‐cadherin has important functions in pluripotency and reprogramming.