ECAT11/L1td1 Is Enriched in ESCs and Rapidly Activated During iPSC Generation, but It Is Dispensable for the Maintenance and Induction of Pluripotency
2011

ECAT11 is Not Needed for Stem Cell Pluripotency

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Iwabuchi Kumiko A., Yamakawa Tatsuya, Sato Yoshiko, Ichisaka Tomoko, Takahashi Kazutoshi, Okita Keisuke, Yamanaka Shinya

Primary Institution: Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

Hypothesis

Is ECAT11/L1td1 necessary for the maintenance and induction of pluripotency in stem cells?

Conclusion

The study concludes that ECAT11 is dispensable for the maintenance and induction of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Supporting Evidence

  • ECAT11 is specifically expressed in embryonic stem cells but is not required for their proliferation.
  • Mice lacking ECAT11 develop normally and are fertile.
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells can be generated from fibroblasts without ECAT11.

Takeaway

Scientists found that a gene called ECAT11 isn't needed for stem cells to stay special or to turn into other types of cells, even though it shows up in early development.

Methodology

The researchers created ECAT11 knock-in mice and analyzed the effects of ECAT11 disruption on embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0020461

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