High-efficiency RNA interference in human embryonic stem cells

Stem Cells. 2005 Mar;23(3):299-305. doi: 10.1634/stemcells.2004-0252.

Abstract

RNA interference methodology suppresses gene expression, thus mimicking loss-of-function mutation and enabling in vitro and in vivo gene function analysis. In this study, we used retroviral and lentiviral vectors to deliver small interfering RNAs and report high-efficiency silencing of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) trans gene and the stem cell-specific transcription factors Oct4/POU5F1 and Nanog in human embryonic stem cells. Gene knockdown of Oct4 and Nanog promotes differentiation, thereby demonstrating a role for these factors in human embryonic stem cell self-renewal.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Line
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology*
  • Gene Expression / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
  • Homeodomain Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Lentivirus / genetics
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Proteoglycans
  • RNA Interference*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Retroviridae / genetics
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Serum Albumin / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Glycoprotein Hormones, alpha Subunit
  • Glycoproteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • NANOG protein, human
  • Nanog Homeobox Protein
  • Octamer Transcription Factor-3
  • POU5F1 protein, human
  • Proteoglycans
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Serum Albumin
  • TRA-1-60 antigen, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins