| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2078047 | Cell Stem Cell | 2011 | 9 Pages |
SummaryHere, we show that as human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) exit the pluripotent state, NANOG can play a key role in determining lineage outcome. It has previously been reported that BMPs induce differentiation of human ESCs into extraembryonic lineages. Here, we find that FGF2, acting through the MEK-ERK pathway, switches BMP4-induced human ESC differentiation outcome to mesendoderm, characterized by the uniform expression of T (brachyury) and other primitive streak markers. We also find that MEK-ERK signaling prolongs NANOG expression during BMP-induced differentiation, that forced NANOG expression results in FGF-independent BMP4 induction of mesendoderm, and that knockdown of NANOG greatly reduces T induction. Together, our results demonstrate that FGF2 signaling switches the outcome of BMP4-induced differentiation of human ESCs by maintaining NANOG levels through the MEK-ERK pathway.
► FGF2 switches BMP4-induced differentiation outcome to mesendoderm ► Blocking the MEK-ERK blocks the FGF2-mediated lineage switch ► MEK-ERK signaling prolongs NANOG expression during BMP4-induced differentiation ► Forced NANOG expression results in FGF2-independent BMP4 induction of mesendoderm
