Decoding pluripotency: Genetic screens to interrogate the acquisition, maintenance, and exit of pluripotency Review


Authors: Li, Q. V.; Rosen, B. P.; Huangfu, D.
Review Title: Decoding pluripotency: Genetic screens to interrogate the acquisition, maintenance, and exit of pluripotency
Abstract: Pluripotent stem cells have the ability to unlimitedly self-renew and differentiate to any somatic cell lineage. A number of systems biology approaches have been used to define this pluripotent state. Complementary to systems level characterization, genetic screens offer a unique avenue to functionally interrogate the pluripotent state and identify the key players in pluripotency acquisition and maintenance, exit of pluripotency, and lineage differentiation. Here we review how genetic screens have helped us decode pluripotency regulation. We will summarize results from RNA interference (RNAi) based screens, discuss recent advances in CRISPR/Cas-based genetic perturbation methods, and how these advances have made it possible to more comprehensively interrogate pluripotency and differentiation through genetic screens. Such investigations will not only provide a better understanding of this unique developmental state, but may enhance our ability to use pluripotent stem cells as an experimental model to study human development and disease progression. Functional interrogation of pluripotency also provides a valuable roadmap for utilizing genetic perturbation to gain systems level understanding of additional cellular states, from later stages of development to pathological disease states. This article is categorized under: Developmental Biology > Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration Developmental Biology > Developmental Processes in Health and Disease Biological Mechanisms > Cell Fates. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Keywords: embryonic stem cells; differentiation; rnai; pluripotency; genetic screens; crispr
Journal Title: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Systems Biology and Medicine
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
ISSN: 1939-5094
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2020-01-01
Start Page: e1464
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1464
PUBMED: 31407519
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC6898739
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Danwei Huangfu
    48 Huangfu
  2. Qing Li
    12 Li
  3. Bess Peninna Rosen
    6 Rosen