The actions of transcription factors, chromatin modifiers, and noncoding RNAs are crucial for the programming of cellular states.  Although chromatin remodeling factors regulate the functional status of cells including pluripotency and differentiation, how they cross-talk with embryonic stem (ES) cell-specific transcription factors and noncoding RNAs to coordinate networks controlling of ES cell identity remain unknown.  Here, we find that Pontin chromatin remodeling factor plays an essential role as a coactivator for Oct4 target genes and large intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) in ES cells. mRNA- and ChIP-sequencing analyses reveal that Pontin and Oct4 share a substantial set of target genes involved in maintenance of ES cells.  Intriguingly, Oct4-dependent coactivator function of Pontin extends to transcription of lincRNAs that are mainly involved in repression of differentiation in ES cells.  Together, our findings demonstrate newly identified Oct4-Pontin-lincRNA module plays critical roles in the ES cell circuitry to orchestrate cell fate determination program. SOURCE: Bhin Jin-hyuk (bynjh007@postech.ac.kr) - Systems biology and Medicine POSTECH

Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE58206: Pontin functions as an essential coactivator for Oct4 target genes and lincRNAs in embryonic stem cells.