BMPs functionally replace Klf4 and support efficient reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts by Oct4 alone

Generation of induced pluripotent stem cells by defined factors has become a useful model to investigate the mechanism of reprogramming and cell fate determination. However, the precise mechanism of factor-based reprogramming remains unclear. Here, we show that Klf4 mainly acts at the initial phase of reprogramming to initiate mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and can be functionally replaced by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). BMPs boosted the efficiency of Oct4/Sox2-mediated reprogramming of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) to ～1%. BMPs also promoted single-factor Oct4-based reprogramming of MEFs and tail tibial fibroblasts. Our studies clarify the contribution of Klf4 in reprogramming and establish Oct4 as a singular setter of pluripotency in differentiated cells.     

Characterization of bovine induced pluripotent stem cells by lentiviral transduction of reprogramming factor fusion proteins

Pluripotent stem cells from domesticated animals have potential applications in transgenic breeding. Here, we describe induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from bovine fetal fibroblasts by lentiviral transduction of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and c-Myc defined-factor fusion proteins. Bovine iPS cells showed typical colony morphology, normal karyotypes, stained positively for alkaline phosphatase (AP) and expressed Oct4, Nanog and SSEA1. The CpG in the promoter regions of Oct4 and Nanog were highly unmethylated in bovine iPS cells compared to the fibroblasts. The cells were able to differentiate into cell types of all three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. In addition, these cells were induced into female germ cells under defined culture conditions and expressed early and late female germ cell-specific genes Vasa, Dazl, Gdf9, Nobox, Zp2, and Zp3. Our data suggest that bovine iPS cells were generated from bovine fetal fibroblasts with defined-factor fusion proteins mediated by lentivirus and have potential applications in bovine transgenic breeding and gene-modified animals.     

斑马鱼多能性因子的研究进展

哺乳动物多能性因子, 主要包括Pou5f1/Oct4、Sox2、Klf4、Nanog等转录因子, 不仅能够维持胚胎干细胞的未分化状态, 同时也参与使分化细胞重编程回多能性状态的过程。目前对脊椎动物多能性因子在体(in vivo)功能研究报道极少。斑马鱼是研究脊椎动物早期发育分化的理想模型, 它能够为多能性相关因子的功能研究提供在体环境, 因而可以更准确地了解多能性因子的作用信息。近年来, 已在斑马鱼中发现了多种哺乳动物多能性因子的同源基因, 如oct4、nanog等。文章主要介绍了斑马鱼中多能性因子的相关研究进展, 并与其它动物中的研究作一比较。