β-catenin links cell seeding density to global gene expression during mouse embryonic stem cell differentiation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103541
• Publication Date: 2021-12-01T08:12:08Z
• Authors: Lucy LeBlanc; Mijeong Kim; Aparna Kambhampati; Albert J. Son; Nereida Ramirez; Jonghwan Kim
• Keywords: Adherens junction; Cell fate determination

Although cell density is known to affect numerous biological processes including gene expression and fate specification, mechanistic understanding of what factors link global regulation lacking. Here, we reveal that the thousands genes in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) affected by seeding low enhances efficiency differentiation. Mechanistically, β-catenin localized primarily adherens junctions during both self-renewal differentiation at high density. However, when mESCs differentiate density, translocates nucleus associates with Tcf7l1, inducing co-occupied lineage markers. Meanwhile, Esrrb sustains pluripotency-associated while repressing markers its association DNA decreases Our results provide new insights into previously neglected but pervasive phenomenon density-dependent regulation.