The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family of proteins reads epigenetic histone acetylation marks on the genome and regulates the transcriptional machinery. In their study, Carole LaBonne and colleagues reveal the role of BET protein activity in the maintenance of pluripotency and establishment of the neural crest in Xenopus laevis. To know more about their work, we spoke to the first author Paul Huber and the corresponding author Carole LaBonne, Developmental and Stem Cell Biologist at Northwestern University.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/dev.203151 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Shared features of blastula and neural crest stem cells evolved at the base of vertebrates.
Nat Ecol Evol
September 2024
Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
The neural crest is a vertebrate-specific stem cell population that helped drive the origin and evolution of vertebrates. A distinguishing feature of these cells is their multi-germ layer potential, which has parallels to another stem cell population-pluripotent stem cells of the vertebrate blastula. Here, we investigate the evolutionary origins of neural crest potential by comparing neural crest and pluripotency gene regulatory networks of a jawed vertebrate, Xenopus, and a jawless vertebrate, lamprey.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSoxB1 transcription factors are essential for initiating and maintaining neural plate border gene expression.
Development
July 2024
Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
SoxB1 transcription factors (Sox2/3) are well known for their role in early neural fate specification in the embryo, but little is known about functional roles for SoxB1 factors in non-neural ectodermal cell types, such as the neural plate border (NPB). Using Xenopus laevis, we set out to determine whether SoxB1 transcription factors have a regulatory function in NPB formation. Here, we show that SoxB1 factors are necessary for NPB formation, and that prolonged SoxB1 factor activity blocks the transition from a NPB to a neural crest state.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBET activity plays an essential role in control of stem cell attributes in Xenopus.
Development
July 2024
Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Neural crest cells are unique stem cells in vertebrate embryos that can develop into various cell types during neurulation.
- The study focuses on how BET family proteins, which "read" acetylation marks on DNA, impact the pluripotency and differentiation of these cells at different developmental stages.
- Inhibition of BET activity results in a loss of pluripotency and neural crest potential, while also revealing that BET and HDAC (which removes acetylation marks) influence cell behavior in different but significant ways.
Pluripotency of a founding field: rebranding developmental biology.
Development
February 2024
Department of Plant Biology and Genome Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Developmental biology isn't as popular or well-funded as it used to be, and other science fields are getting more attention instead.
- A group of scientists from different parts of developmental biology met to discuss problems that are slowing down new discoveries and to suggest ways to fix them.
- They want to "rebrand" the field, get more funding, encourage teamwork between different science areas, improve how science is taught, communicate better, and make sure everyone has equal opportunities and resources.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!