Fgf and Esrrb integrate epigenetic and transcriptional networks that regulate self-renewal of trophoblast stem cells

Nat Commun. 2015 Jul 24:6:7776. doi: 10.1038/ncomms8776.

Abstract

Esrrb (oestrogen-related receptor beta) is a transcription factor implicated in embryonic stem (ES) cell self-renewal, yet its knockout causes intrauterine lethality due to defects in trophoblast development. Here we show that in trophoblast stem (TS) cells, Esrrb is a downstream target of fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) signalling and is critical to drive TS cell self-renewal. In contrast to its occupancy of pluripotency-associated loci in ES cells, Esrrb sustains the stemness of TS cells by direct binding and regulation of TS cell-specific transcription factors including Elf5 and Eomes. To elucidate the mechanisms whereby Esrrb controls the expression of its targets, we characterized its TS cell-specific interactome using mass spectrometry. Unlike in ES cells, Esrrb interacts in TS cells with the histone demethylase Lsd1 and with the RNA Polymerase II-associated Integrator complex. Our findings provide new insights into both the general and context-dependent wiring of transcription factor networks in stem cells by master transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Gene Regulatory Networks
  • Histone Demethylases / metabolism
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Mice
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Trophoblasts / cytology

Substances

  • Esrrb protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • Histone Demethylases
  • KDM1a protein, mouse
  • RNA Polymerase II