SPLICE-STEM · Identification of alternative splicing networks defining embryonic stem cell identity

Adult, embryonic stem cells (ESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) possess the fundamental properties to self-renew while remaining pluripotent. These unique capacities are regulated by gene networks which expression is tightly controlled at the epigenetic, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels to insure proper stem cell fate decisions in response to developmental or environmental cues. Alterations of these networks in cancer stem cells (CSC) support their tumorigenic activity. Therefore, defining the molecular pathways that control the maintenance of self-renewal and pluripotency is not only important to understand normal development but could also improve the clinical potential of adult stem cells, ESCs and iPSCs, and reveal novel strategies to target CSCs.Our objective is to identify novel mechanisms controlling the genetic programs that define the fate of ESCs. Along this line, we recently revealed a central role for alternative splicing (AS) in the regulation of the core ESC pluripotency regulatory circuitry. AS affects over 95% of multi-exon human genes and regulates gene expression by promoting transcriptome and proteome diversity. Although ESCs display a high degree of transcriptome complexity and express a large number of isoforms of unknown function, the extent and significance of AS contribution to this functional diversity remain largely unclear.We propose to characterize molecular pathways that modulate AS programs and reshape the landscape of gene regulation which controls the pluripotency and self-renewal capacities of stem cells. More precisely, we will:1- Identify splicing factors that control conserved AS events in mouse ESCs and support the maintenance self-renewal and pluripotency