ESCs Require PRC2 to Direct the Successful Reprogramming of Differentiated Cells toward Pluripotency

SummaryEmbryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent, self-renewing, and have the ability to reprogram differentiated cell types to pluripotency upon cellular fusion. Polycomb-group (PcG) proteins are important for restraining the inappropriate expression of lineage-specifying factors in ESCs. To investigate whether PcG proteins are required for establishing, rather than maintaining, the pluripotent state, we compared the ability of wild-type, PRC1-, and PRC2-depleted ESCs to reprogram human lymphocytes. We show that ESCs lacking either PRC1 or PRC2 are unable to successfully reprogram B cells toward pluripotency. This defect is a direct consequence of the lack of PcG activity because it could be efficiently rescued by reconstituting PRC2 activity in PRC2-deficient ESCs. Surprisingly, the failure of PRC2-deficient ESCs to reprogram somatic cells is functionally dominant, demonstrating a critical requirement for PcG proteins in the chromatin-remodeling events required for the direct conversion of differentiated cells toward pluripotency.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (166 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Mouse pluripotent cells reprogram human B cells in heterokaryons ► ESCs lacking PRC1 or PRC2 cannot successfully reprogram ► Failure of PRC1/2-deficient ESCs to reprogram is functionally dominant ► PRC1/2 play a critical role in the chromatin reorganization required for reprogramming