How Oct4 Activity is Regulated by Phosphorylation
Author Information
Author(s): Jonathan P. Saxe, Alexey Tomilin, Hans R. Schöler, Kathrin Plath, Jing Huang
Primary Institution: University of California Los Angeles
Hypothesis
The study investigates how phosphorylation affects the transcriptional activity of Oct4 in embryonic stem cells.
Conclusion
The research identifies a phosphorylation-based mechanism that regulates specific Oct4 homodimer conformations, impacting its transcriptional activity.
Supporting Evidence
- Oct4 is essential for maintaining pluripotent stem cell populations.
- Phosphorylation at serine 229 affects Oct4's ability to activate certain target genes.
- The study identified multiple signaling pathways that may regulate Oct4 activity.
Takeaway
Oct4 is a protein that helps stem cells stay young and not turn into other types of cells. This study found that adding a special tag called phosphorylation can change how Oct4 works.
Methodology
The study used luciferase assays, RT-PCR, and chromatin immunoprecipitation to analyze Oct4 activity and its regulation.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on specific phosphorylation sites and may not encompass all regulatory mechanisms of Oct4.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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