Regulation of Nanog Expression by Protein Kinase Cs in Human Embryonal Carcinoma Cell

Nanog is expressed specifically in undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells and has been shown that it is essential for the maintenance of pluripotency of the ES cells. Nanog is highly expressed in ES cells and embryonic carcinoma (EC) cells, but it is usually not expressed in adult tissues, suggesting Nanog is crucial in preventing cell differentiation. In our preliminary results, the activity of three PKC isoforms (PKC-α、δ、ε) which are believed to be involved in the regulation of cell differentiation and proliferation were examined to see if they influence Nanog expression. Our results indicate that PKC-α can downregulate Nanog expression in human NPC cell line through downregulating Oct4 and Sox2. Based on our preliminary results, We suggest that PKC may be a negative regulator for Nanog expression in human embryonic stem cell. In this proposal, we intend to delineate the mechanism underlying the regulation of Nanog expression. We will use human embryonic stem cells and embryonal carcinoma cell to study the signaling systems governing Nanog expressions Understanding the regulation of Nanog expression should shed light for our understanding of the maintenance of pluripotency of the ES cells. In this proposal, we present some of our preliminary results and propose our future plan along the line of this research work.

Project ID:PC9808-0572
External Project ID:NSC98-2314-B182-024