ZFP982 confers mouse embryonic stem cell characteristics by regulating expression of Nanog, Zfp42, and Dppa3.

Background: Understanding the genetic underpinnings of protein networks conferring stemness is of broad interest for basic and translational research.

Methods: We used multi-omics analyses to identify and characterize stemness genes, and focused on the zinc finger protein 982 (Zfp982) that regulates stemness through the expression of Nanog, Zfp42, and Dppa3 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC).

Results: Zfp982 was expressed in stem cells, and bound to chromatin through a GCAGAGKC motif, for example near the stemness genes Nanog, Zfp42, and Dppa3.

Differential Methylation of H3K79 Reveals DOT1L Target Genes and Function in the Cerebellum In Vivo.

The disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) mediates methylation of histone H3 at position lysine 79 (H3K79). Conditional knockout of Dot1l in mouse cerebellar granule cells (Dot1l-cKO) led to a smaller external granular layer with fewer precursors of granule neurons. Dot1l-cKO mice had impaired proliferation and differentiation of granular progenitors, which resulted in a smaller cerebellum.