Enhancing enhancers reinforces cell identity (IMAGE)

Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)

Enhancing enhancers reinforces cell identity

Caption

Lynch et al characterize a chemical approach to globally hyper-activate enhancers. This is achieved by inhibiting CDK8 kinase, a negative regulator of the Mediator complex. The reinforcement of enhancers and super-enhancers results in the stabilization of cell identity. This is applied here to stabilize intrinsically unstable human naïve pluripotent cells. This principle may be applicable to other unstable cell types. The picture shows a mouse blastocyst with its three cell types: trophoblasts (CDX2, purple), primitive endoderm cells (GATA6, red), and naïve pluripotent cells (NANOG, green).

Credit

Cian J. Lynch, Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) Spain

Usage Restrictions

Atribution

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.