Open AccessThe Caudal ‐Related Protein Cdx2 Promotes Trophoblast Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells
Author(s) -
Tolkunova Elena,
Cavaleri Fatima,
Eckardt Sigrid,
Reinbold Rolland,
Christenson Lane K.,
Schöler Hans R.,
Tomilin Alexey
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1634/stemcells.2005-0240
Subject(s) - biology , trophoblast , embryonic stem cell , cdx2 , stem cell , homeobox , microbiology and biotechnology , cellular differentiation , inner cell mass , embryo , genetics , transcription factor , embryogenesis , gene , blastocyst , placenta , fetus , pregnancy
Besides holding great promise in clinics, embryonic stem (ES) cells represent a valuable tool for studying regulation of early developmental processes, such as cell differentiation in preimplantation embryos. The caudal ‐related homeobox protein Cdx2 is a transcriptional regulator essential for trophoblast lineage, functioning as early as implantation. Using an inducible system, we show that gain of Cdx2 function in ES cells triggers trophoblast‐like morphological differentiation, accompanied by ploidy increase, onset of expression of trophoblast‐specific markers, and loss of pluripotency‐associated gene expression. These data provide an insight into the genetic network that controls lineage specification and functioning in early mammalian development.