Quiescence enables unrestricted cell fate in naive embryonic stem cells

Le Tran Phuc Khoa, Wentao Yang, Mengrou Shan, Li Zhang, Fengbiao Mao, Bo Zhou, Qiang Li, Rebecca Malcore, Clair Harris, Lili Zhao, Rajesh Rao, Shigeki Iwase, Sundeep Kalantry, Stephanie L. Bielas, Costas A. Lyssiotis, Yali Dou*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Quiescence in stem cells is traditionally considered as a state of inactive dormancy or with poised potential. Naive mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can enter quiescence spontaneously or upon inhibition of MYC or fatty acid oxidation, mimicking embryonic diapause in vivo. The molecular underpinning and developmental potential of quiescent ESCs (qESCs) are relatively unexplored. Here we show that qESCs possess an expanded or unrestricted cell fate, capable of generating both embryonic and extraembryonic cell types (e.g., trophoblast stem cells). These cells have a divergent metabolic landscape comparing to the cycling ESCs, with a notable decrease of the one-carbon metabolite S-adenosylmethionine. The metabolic changes are accompanied by a global reduction of H3K27me3, an increase of chromatin accessibility, as well as the de-repression of endogenous retrovirus MERVL and trophoblast master regulators. Depletion of methionine adenosyltransferase Mat2a or deletion of Eed in the polycomb repressive complex 2 results in removal of the developmental constraints towards the extraembryonic lineages. Our findings suggest that quiescent ESCs are not dormant but rather undergo an active transition towards an unrestricted cell fate.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1721
JournalNature communications
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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