ESC & iPSC News Volume 9.33 | Aug 27 2014

SIRT1-Mediated Deacetylation of CRABPII Regulates Cellular Retinoic Acid Signaling and Modulates Embryonic Stem Cell Differentiation
Researchers demonstrate that SIRT1, the most conserved mammalian NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase, contributes to homeostatic retinoic acid signaling and modulates mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation in part through deacetylation of cellular retinoic acid binding protein II (CRABPII). [Mol Cell]
Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Blocking Autocrine VEGF Signaling by Sunitinib, an Anti-Cancer Drug, Promotes Embryonic Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Somatic Cell Reprogramming
Scientists found that even in medium supplemented with leukemia inhibitory factor, mouse embryonic stem cells still tend to differentiate toward meso-endoderm lineages after long-term culture and the culture spontaneously secretes vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs). [Cell Res] Full Article

BRD4 Regulates Nanog Expression in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and Preimplantation Embryos
Researchers report that bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) regulates expression of the pluripotency factor Nanog in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and preimplantation embryos, as well as in human ESCs and embryonic cancer stem cells. [Cell Death Differ] Abstract

Regulation of Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Energy Metabolism by Protein Kinase C-λ/τ: A Novel Mode of Balancing Pluripotency
Using murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) as a model system, scientists demonstrate that atypical protein kinase C isoform, PKC lambda/iota, is a key regulator of mitochondrial function in ESCs. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Enhanced Lung Epithelial Specification of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells on Decellularized Lung Matrix
Investigators evaluated the capacity of acellular lung scaffolds to support recellularization with lung progenitors derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. [Ann Thorac Surg] Abstract

Medaka Oct4 is Essential for Pluripotency in Blastula Formation and ES Cell Derivation
Researchers report that Oloct4, the medaka oct4/pou2, is essential for early embryogenesis and pluripotency maintenance. Oloct4 exists as a single copy gene and is orthologous to pou2 by sequence and chromosome synteny. [Stem Cell Rev] Abstract

Oxygen Modulates Human Embryonic Stem Cell Metabolism in the Absence of Changes in Self-Renewal
Investigators aimed to identify physiological markers that could be used to evaluate the metabolic impact of oxygen on the MEL-2 human embryonic stem cell line after adaptation to either 5% or 20% oxygen in extended culture. [Reprod Fertil Dev] Abstract

Cellular Reprogramming by Transcription Factor Engineering
There is a growing interest in engineering novel chimeric reprogramming factors and applying designer transcription factors technology to improve reprogramming efficiency and dissect the process of endogenous pluripotency network reactivation. The authors provide a concise review on the latest progress in studying cellular reprogramming by transcription factor engineering. [Curr Opin Genet Dev] Abstract

MicroRNA-Based System in Stem Cell Reprogramming; Differentiation/Dedifferentiation
This review aims to provide state-of-the-art presentations on microRNA-dependent molecular mechanisms contribute to the maintenance of pluripotency. Understanding the microRNA signature interactions, in conjunction with cell signaling, is critical for development of improved strategies to reprogram differentiated cells or direct differentiation of pluripotent cells. [Int J Biochem Cell Biol] Abstract

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

Penn Medicine Opens Center for Advanced Retinal and Ocular Therapeutics (CAROT)
The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania has launched the CAROT to build on its previous success developing novel therapies for the personalized diagnosis and treatment of retinal and ocular disorders. [University of Pennsylvania] Press Release

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Mesenchymal Stem Cells (a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology collaboration). Request your free copy.

Iranian Parliament Ousts Reform-Minded Science Minister
A monthslong effort to breathe new life into Iranian universities is at a crossroads after the ouster of the nation’s reformist science minister, Reza Faraji-Dana. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

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

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Cardiac Animal Surgery (Stanford University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Based Therapeutics (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Positions – Hematopoietic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (Indiana University School of Medicine)

Research Technician – Maintenance of Embryonic Stem Cell Lines, Electroporation and Subcloning (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Correction of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells Generated from Patients with Hematologic Genetic Disease (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center)

Postdoctoral Position – The Role of Nuclear Organization in Reprogramming the Embryonic Genome (Hubrecht Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Technical Account Manager (GlobalStem)

Stem Cell Research Assistant – iPSC Biology and Genome Editing (Stem Cell Theranostics)

Stem Cell Research Scientist – iPSC Reprogramming and Disease Modeling (Stem Cell Theranostics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Proteomic Analysis of the Differentiation of Human ESCs or iPSCs (Cornell University)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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