LncKdm2b controls self-renewal of embryonic stem cells via activating expression of transcription factor Zbtb3

Divergent long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a major lncRNA biotype in mouse and human genomes. The biological and molecular functions of the divergent lncRNAs remain largely unknown. Here, we show that lncKdm2b, a divergent lncRNA for Kdm2b gene, is conserved among five mammalian species and highly expressed in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and early embryos. LncKdm2b knockout impairs ESC self-renewal and causes early embryonic lethality. LncKdm2b can activate Zbtb3 by promoting the assembly and ATPase activity of Snf2-related CREBBP activator protein (SRCAP) complex in trans. Zbtb3 potentiates the ESC self-renewal in a Nanog-dependent manner. Finally, Zbtb3 deficiency impairs the ESC self-renewal and early embryonic development. Therefore, our findings reveal that lncRNAs may represent an additional layer of the regulation of ESC self-renewal and early embryogenesis.

Source: EMBO Journal - April 13, 2018 Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Ye, B., Liu, B., Yang, L., Zhu, X., Zhang, D., Wu, W., Zhu, P., Wang, Y., Wang, S., Xia, P., Du, Y., Meng, S., Huang, G., Wu, J., Chen, R., Tian, Y., Fan, Z. Tags: Development & Differentiation, RNA Biology, Stem Cells Articles Source Type: research