ESC & iPSC News Volume 11.21 | Jun 1 2016

TOP STORY

Impairment of DNA Methylation Maintenance Is the Main Cause of Global Demethylation in Naive Embryonic Stem Cells

The authors showed that the main drivers of global demethylation are neither active mechanisms (Aicda, Tdg, and Tet1-3) nor the reduction of de novo methylation. UHRF1 protein, the essential targeting factor for DNMT1, is reduced upon transition to 2i, and so is recruitment of the maintenance methylation machinery to replication foci. [Mol Cell] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

E3-Independent Constitutive Monoubiquitination Complements Histone Methyltransferase Activity of SETDB1

Researchers demonstrated that SETDB1, a major histone H3K9 methyltransferase is monoubiquitinated at the evolutionarily conserved lysine-867 in its SET-Insertion domain. The resulting constitutive lysine-867 monoubiquitination is essential for SETDB1’s enzymatic activity and endogenous retrovirus silencing in murine embryonic stem cells. [Mol Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

A Dual Molecular Analogue Tuner for Dissecting Protein Function in Mammalian Cells

Researchers present a system for simultaneous conditional regulation of two different proteins in the same mammalian cell. By engineering molecular tuners for NANOG, CHK1, p53 and NOTCH1 in mammalian stem cells, they have validated the applicability of the system and demonstrated its potential to unravel complex biological processes. [Nat Commun] Full Article

Concordant but Varied Phenotypes among Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patient-Specific Myoblasts Derived using a Human iPSC-Based Model

Investigators present a human Duchenne muscular dystrophy model using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Their model revealed concordant disease-related phenotypes with patient-dependent variation, which are partially reversed by genetic and pharmacological approaches. [Cell Rep] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Polycomb Group Protein Pcgf6 Acts as a Master Regulator to Maintain Embryonic Stem Cell Identity

Researchers showed that the polycomb repressive complex 1 component polycomb group ring finger 6 (Pcgf6) is required to maintain embryonic stem cell (ESC) identity. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Cops2 Promotes Pluripotency Maintenance by Stabilizing Nanog Protein and Repressing Transcription

Through knocking down individual COP9 subunits, researchers demonstrated that Cops2, but not the whole COP9 signalosome, is essential for pluripotency maintenance in mouse embryonic stem cells. [Sci Rep] Full Article

H1foo Has a Pivotal Role in Qualifying Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Investigators showed that the mammalian oocyte-specific linker histone H1foo has beneficial effects on induced pluripotent stem cells generation. [Stem Cell Reports] Full Article | Graphical Abstract

Single-Stranded DNA Binding Protein Ssbp3 Induces Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Trophoblast-Like Cells

The authors investigated the role of the single-stranded DNA binding protein, Ssbp3, for the induction of trophoblast-like differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells . [Stem Cell Res Ther] Abstract

Forced Expression of Hnf4a Induces Hepatic Gene Activation through Directed Differentiation

Scientists addressed whether a suspension or adherent model of differentiation is an appropriate way to study the role of Hnf4a overexpression. [Biochem Biophys Res Commun] Abstract

Changes in Parthenogenetic Imprinting Patterns during Reprogramming by Cell Fusion

The authors investigated whether fusion with embryonic stem cells also reprograms genomic imprinting patterns in somatic cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Causes and Consequences of Multi-Locus Imprinting Disturbances in Humans

To figure out how imprinting anomalies occur at multiple imprinted domains, researchers have to understand the interplay between DNA methylation and histone modifications in the process of selective imprint protection during pre-implantation reprogramming, which, if disrupted, leads to these complex imprinting disorders. [Trends Genet] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

State Stem Cell Agency Awards Stanford Researchers

Albert Wong receives $2.9 million to develop vaccine for glioblastoma; four others awarded $240,000 each to study bladder, heart and eye conditions. [Stanford School of Medicine] Press Release

Cryoport to Provide Cold Chain Logistics Support for International Stem Cell Corporation’s Phase I Clinical Trial for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Cryoport, Inc. announced that it will provide global logistics support to International Stem Cell Corporation’s (ISCO) Phase I clinical trial in Australia for the treatment of moderate to severe Parkinson’s disease. ISCO commenced patient enrollment for the study earlier this month. [Cryoport, Inc.] Press Release

In Dramatic Statement, European Leaders Call for ‘Immediate’ Open Access to All Scientific Papers by 2020

In what European science chief Carlos Moedas calls a “life-changing” move, European Union member states agreed on an ambitious new open access target. All scientific papers should be freely available by 2020, the Competitiveness Council—a gathering of ministers of science, innovation, trade, and industry—concluded after a two-day meeting in Brussels. [ScienceInsider] Editorial | Download Press Release

New Chair of Science Board Helps Make NSF’s Case to U.S. Congress

The new chair of the board that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF) plans to continue the board’s stepped-up efforts to educate Congress on how NSF does its business. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

NEW 5^th Cambridge Stem Cell Symposium
July 18-19, 2016
Cambridge, United Kingdom

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the ESC & iPSC community.

NEW Postdoctoral Researcher – Bioinformatics Exploring Early Human Development and Stem Cell Biology (Karolinska Institutet)

Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cell/Genome Editing/Neuroscience (University of California, Davis)

Postdoctoral Fellow (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Scientific Communications and Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Technical Sales Representative (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Myogenic and Progenitor Cell (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation (Washington University School of Medicine)

Scientist – Target Validation (Innate Pharma)

Postdoctoral Position – Epigenetics of Aging (Leibniz Institute on Aging)

Scientist and Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cells (National Institutes of Health)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell/Genome Editing/Neuroscience/Neurodegeneration (Brigham & Women’s Hospital)

Recruit Top Talent: Reach potential candidates by posting your organization’s career opportunities on the Connexon Creative Job Board at no cost.

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