Dissecting the variation in transcriptional circuits between naive and primed pluripotent states

Abstract

Naive and primed pluripotent states are very similar to each other, but subtle differences exist in their maintenance and differentiation programmes. Transcription factors (TFs) play a key role towards maintaining pluripotency and cellular reprogramming. However, TF expression dynamics and regulatory mechanisms in naive and primed pluripotent states are poorly understood. Here, we performed a comprehensive transcriptional analysis of both states, which revealed a gene expression pattern in mESCs (naive state) that appear to be distinct from mEpiSCs (primed state). We screened 10 TFs essential for maintenance, self-renewal and differentiation, of which the TFs- Notch3, Meis1, Gli3 and Srf can act as novel markers distinguishing the two states. Furthermore, a detailed bioinformatic analysis (involving these TFs) elucidated essential transcriptional circuits between the naive and primed pluripotent states.