Stem cell regulatory function mediated by expression of a novel mouse Oct4 pseudogene

Journal Article · Fri Mar 30 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.01.106· OSTI ID:20979858

Lin, Huey ^[1]; Shabbir, Arsalan ^[1]; Molnar, Merced ^[1]; Lee, Techung ^[1]

---

1. Department of Biochemistry, SUNY at Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214 (United States)

Multiple pseudogenes have been proposed for embryonic stem (ES) cell-specific genes, and their abundance suggests that some of these potential pseudogenes may be functional. ES cell-specific expression of Oct4 regulates stem cell pluripotency and self-renewing state. Although Oct4 expression has been reported in adult tissues during gene reprogramming, the detected Oct4 signal might be contributed by Oct4 pseudogenes. Among the multiple Oct4 transcripts characterized here is a {approx}1 kb clone derived from P19 embryonal carcinoma stem cells, which shares a {approx}87% sequence homology with the parent Oct4 gene, and has the potential of encoding an 80-amino acid product (designated as Oct4P1). Adenoviral expression of Oct4P1 in mesenchymal stem cells promotes their proliferation and inhibits their osteochondral differentiation. These dual effects of Oct4P1 are reminiscent of the stem cell regulatory function of the parent Oct4, and suggest that Oct4P1 may be a functional pseudogene or a novel Oct4-related gene with a unique function in stem cells.

• OSTI ID: 20979858
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 355, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.01.106; PII: S0006-291X(07)00170-2; Copyright (c) 2007 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
CARCINOMAS
CELL PROLIFERATION
GENES
MICE
STEM CELLS