Musashi2 is required for the self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells

Recent studies have shown that the RNA binding protein Musashi 2 (Msi2) plays prominent roles during development and leukemia. Additionally, in embryonic stem cells (ESC) undergoing the early stages of differentiation, Msi2 has been shown to associate with Sox2, which is required for the self-renewal of ESC. These findings led us to examine the effects of Msi2 on the behavior of ESC. Using an shRNA sequence that targets Msi2 and a scrambled shRNA sequence, we determined that knockdown of Msi2 disrupts the self-renewal of ESC and promotes their differentiation. Collectively, our findings argue that Msi2 is required to support the self-renewal and pluripotency of ESC.

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Wuebben EL, Mallanna SK, Cox JL, Rizzino A