Inference of cell differentiation factors in pluripotent cells by Structural Equation Modelling

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24510285
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: System genome science
• Research Institution: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: ABURATANI Sachiyo 独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所, ゲノム情報研究センター, 研究チーム長 (10361627)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 構造方程式モデリング / 遺伝子ネットワーク / 多様性 / ES細胞 / 細胞分化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In embryonic stem cells, various transcription factors (TFs) maintain pluripotency.
To gain insights into the regulatory system controlling pluripotency, I inferred the regulatory relationships between the TFs expressed in ES cells. In this study, I applied a method based on structural equation modeling (SEM), combined with factor analysis, to 649 expression profiles of 19 TF genes measured in mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). The factor analysis identified 19 TF genes that were regulated by several unmeasured factors. Since the known cell reprogramming TF genes (Pou5f1, Sox2 and Nanog) are regulated by different factors, each estimated factor is considered to be an input for signal transduction to control pluripotency in mouse ESCs. In the inferred network model, TF proteins were also arranged as unmeasured factors that control other TFs. The interpretation of the inferred network model revealed the regulatory mechanism for controlling pluripotency in ES cells.

Free Research Field

システム生物学