Cell growth arrest and apoptosis induced by Oct4 or Nanog knockdown in mouse embryonic stem cells: a possible role of Trp53

It has been clear that both Oct4 and Nanog play essential roles in maintaining embryonic stem cells (ESCs) undifferentiation. However, the roles of Oct4 and Nanog in ESCs growth and apoptosis have been much less explored. In this study, we systematically examined the effects of Oct4 or Nanog knockdown on mouse ESCs (mESCs) growth and apoptosis as well as potential mechanisms. Our results show that Oct4 or Nanog knockdown induces growth arrest and apoptosis in mESCs, indicating that the two genes also play important roles in mESCs survival and growth. Moreover, upregulation in Trp53 and its downstream genes expression was detected in Oct4 or Nanog knockdown mESCs, suggesting a possible role of Trp53 in Oct4 or Nanog knockdown induced mESCs growth arrest and apoptosis.