Article

Cdk1 is required for the self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells.

College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry (impact factor: 2.87). 12/2010; DOI:10.1002/jcb.23010
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (Cdk1) is indispensible for the early development of the embryo. However, its role in maintaining the undifferentiated state of the embryonic stem (ES) cells remains unknown. In this study, we dissected the function of Cdk1 in mouse ES cells by RNA-interference and gene expression analyses. Cdk1 expression is tightly correlated with the undifferentiated state of the ES cells. Upon differentiation, Cdk1 expression reduced drastically. Cdk1 knock-down by RNA interference resulted in the loss of proliferation and colony formation potential of the ES cells. Consequentially, expression of self-renewal genes was reduced while differentiation markers such as Cdx2 were induced. Our results suggest a role for Cdk1 in maintaining the unique undifferentiated and self-renewing state of the mouse ES cells. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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Keywords

Cdk1
 
Cdk1 expression
 
Cdk1 knock-down
 
Cdx2
 
colony formation potential
 
Consequentially
 
Cyclin-dependent kinase 1
 
differentiation markers
 
embryo
 
embryonic
 
ES
 
ES cells
 
gene expression analyses
 
mouse ES cells
 
RNA interference
 
RNA-interference
 
self-renewal genes
 
self-renewing state
 
undifferentiated state
 
unique undifferentiated