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HP1 proteins safeguard embryonic stem cells

A complex that includes the protein HP1 binds to specific regulatory DNA sequences to promote local compaction of genomic regions and inhibit associated genes that drive differentiation of specific cell lineages.
  1. Kristoffer N. Jensen

    1. Kristoffer N. Jensen is in the Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.

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  2. Matthew C. Lorincz

    1. Matthew C. Lorincz is in the Department of Medical Genetics, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada.

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Mutations in the gene that encodes activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) cause the rare neurodevelopmental disorder Helsmoortel–Van der Aa syndrome, which is characterized by intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder1. In a paper in Nature, Ostapcuk et al.2 present a detailed study of the function of this transcription factor. They show that ADNP forms part of a nuclear complex that plays an essential part in maintaining the fidelity with which pluripotent stem cells give rise to the three primary cell lineages in the human body.

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Nature 557, 640-641 (2018)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-05188-9

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