Sin3a is essential for the genome integrity and viability of pluripotent cells

► Sin3a is required for proliferation and survival of pluripotent embryonic cells. ► Sin3a-/- mouse ICM cells are eliminated by p53-independent apoptosis. ► Sin3a is a critical regulator of the unusual pluripotent embryonic cell cycle. ► Sin3a prevents or repairs DSBs that arise in ES cells, perhaps during replication. ► The Sin3a interactome provides insights into function Sin3a in ES cells.