Effect of ectopic expression of homeoprotein EGAM1C on the cell morphology, growth, and differentiation in a mouse embryonic stem cell line, MG1.19 cells

Abstract

The homeoprotein EGAM1C was identified in preimplantation mouse embryos and embryonic stem (ES) cells. To explore the impact of EGAM1C on the hallmarks of mouse ES cells, MG1.19 cells stably expressing EGAM1C at levels similar to those in blastocysts were established using an episomal expression system. In the presence of leukemia inhibitory factor (+LIF), control transfectants with an empty vector formed flattened cell colonies, whileEgam1ctransfectants formed compacted colonies with increased E-CADHERIN expression. InEgam1ctransfectants, the cellular contents of POU5F1 (OCT4), SOX2, TBX3, and NANOG increased. Cell growth was accelerated in an undifferentiated state sustained by LIF and in the course of differentiation. During clonal proliferation, EGAM1C stabilized the undifferentiated state. In adherent culture conditions, EGAM1C partly inhibited the progression of differentiation at least within a 4-day culture period in the presence of retinoic acid by preventing the downregulation of LIF signaling with a robust increase in TBX3 expression. Conversely, EGAM1C enhanced the expression of lineage marker genesFgf5(epiblast),T(mesoderm),Gata6(primitive endoderm), andCdx2(trophectoderm) in −LIF conditions. In embryoid bodies expressing EGAM1C, the expression of marker genes for extraembryonic cell lineages, includingTpbpa(spongiotrophoblast) andPlat(parietal endoderm), increased. These results demonstrated that the ectopic expression of EGAM1C is capable of affecting the stabilization of an undifferentiated state and the progression of differentiation in MG1.19 ES cells, in addition to affecting cellular morphology and growth.