Identification of Genes Involved in the Regulation of Self-renewal and Pluripotency in the Mouse Preimplantation Embryos and Differentiated Embryonic Stem Cells

초록

Stem cells are unique cell populations with the ability to undergo both self-renewal and differentiation simultaneously. But little is known about gene action in the stem cell maintenance and differentiation. To understand the molecular mechanisms for the regulation of self-renewal and pluripotency, we analyzed expression profiles of genes derived from mouse morulas, blastocysts and undifferentiated and differentiated embryonic stem cells (ESCs) using the cDNA microarray (Genefilter, Research Genetics). To exclude false-positive signals due to background noise, all spots with an intensity value less than background were discarded. Comparative analyses of their expression (Chen test; confidence level=1%), using the Pathways 3 software, identified putative clones that expressed preferentially in mouse Morula and blastocyst. Among the identified clones that preferentially expressed in morula and blastocyst, there were some clones that appeared unique-expression patterns in differentiated ESCs. These studies may further our understanding on the nature of the stem cells and molecular mechanisms of mammalian development and differentiation.