Background
c-Jun is a proto-oncogene functioning as a transcription factor to activate gene expression under many physiological and pathological conditions, particularly in somatic cells. However, its role in early embryonic development remains unknown.
Conclusions
The results of this study indicate that c-Jun can function as a chromatin stabilizer in primed EpiSCs, to maintain the epigenetic cell type state and act as a one-way valve for cell fate conversions.
Results
Here, we show that c-Jun acts as a one-way valve to preserve the primed state and impair reversion to the naïve state. c-Jun is induced during the naive to primed transition, and it works to stabilize the chromatin structure and inhibit the reverse transition. Loss of c-Jun has surprisingly little effect on the naïve to primed transition, and no phenotypic effect on primed cells, however, in primed cells the loss of c-Jun leads to a failure to correctly close naïve-specific enhancers. When the primed cells are induced to reprogram to a naïve state, these enhancers are more rapidly activated when c-Jun is lost or impaired, and the conversion is more efficient. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that c-Jun can function as a chromatin stabilizer in primed EpiSCs, to maintain the epigenetic cell type state and act as a one-way valve for cell fate conversions.