LOXL2 Oxidizes Methylated TAF10 and Controls TFIID-Dependent Genes during Neural Progenitor Differentiation The authors identified methylated TAF10, a member of the TFIID complex, as a LOXL2 substrate. LOXL2 oxidation of TAF10 induced its release from its promoters, leading to a block in TFIID-dependent gene transcription. In embryonic stem cells, this results in the inactivation of the pluripotency genes and loss of the pluripotent capacity. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract A Primary Role for the Tsix lncRNA in Maintaining Random X-Chromosome Inactivation Researchers found that Xist is stably repressed on the XΔTsix in both sexes in undifferentiated epiblast cells in vivo and in vitro, resulting in stochastic X-inactivation in females despite Tsix-heterozygosity. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract A Method for Human Teratogen Detection by Geometrically Confined Cell Differentiation and Migration Researchers spatially directed mesoendoderm differentiation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and the ensuing cell migration in micropatterned human pluripotent stem cell colonies to collectively form an annular mesoendoderm pattern. [Sci Rep] Full Article Development of a Monitoring Method for Nonlabeled Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Growth by Time-Lapse Image Analysis Using a time-lapse imaging system, investigators developed a method to determine the growth of human pluripotent stem cells from non-labeled live cell phase-contrast images without damaging these cells. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract Directed Differentiation of Oligodendrocyte Progenitor Cells From Mouse Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells The authors described a standardized, defined protocol that reliably directs the differentiation of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells to generate high yields of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells that are capable of maturing into oligodendrocytes. [Cell Transplant] Abstract Genome-Wide Definition of Promoter and Enhancer Usage during Neural Induction of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Scientists combined high-throughput identification of transcription start sites with genome-wide profiling of histones modifications to map active promoters and enhancers in embryonic stem cells induced to neuroepithelial-like stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article HSA21 Single-Minded 2 (SIM2) Binding Sites Co-Localize with Super-Enhancers and Pioneer Transcription Factors in Pluripotent Mouse ES Cells Researchers aimed to explore the functional capacity of SIM2 by mapping its DNA binding sites in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Analysis of the SIM2 target genes confirmed the importance of SIM2 in developmental and neuronal processes and indicated that SIM2 may be a master transcription regulator. [PLoS One] Full Article Directed Myogenic Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Scientists introduced a myogenic differentiation protocol mediated by inducible transcription factor expression that reproducibly and efficiently drives human induced pluripotent stem cells into myocytes. [Methods Mol Biol] Abstract |