食管癌组织中Krüppel-like Factor4表达与术后复发转移的相关性

目的探究食管癌组织中Krüppel-like Factor4表达与术后复发转移的相关性。方法选取食管癌患者160例并收集其临床资料。采取免疫组化法检测Krüppel-like Factor4表达,根据患者术后是否复发转移将其分为复发转移组和无复发转移组,对比Krüppel-like Factor 4表达水平,并采用多因素logistic回归分析食管癌切除术患者术后复发转移的危险因素。结果Krüppel-like Factor4蛋白表达与分化程度、临床分期和淋巴结转移等临床病理参数显著相关(P<0.05),与患者的年龄、性别、肿瘤直径均无相关性(P>0.05)。复发转移组术后Krüppel-like Factor4阳性表达率显著低于未复发转移组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。多因素分析显示,Krüppel-like Factor4(OR=2.012,P<0.001)是食管癌术后发生复发转移的独立影响因素。结论食管癌组织中Krüppel-like Factor4表达与患者术后复发转移具有相关性,其对患者术后复发转移具有重要预测价值。

THESEUS1 positively modulates plant defense responses against Botrytis cinerea through GUANINE EXCHANGE FACTOR4 signaling

The plant cell wall is an important interface for sensing pathogen attack and activating signaling pathways that promote plant immune responses.THESEUS1(THE1) acts as a sensor of cell wall integrity that controls cell elongation during plant growth.However, no specific role for THE1 in plant defense responses has been reported. Here, we found that THE1 interacts with GUANINE EXCHANGE FACTOR4(GEF4)and that both proteins play regulatory roles in plant resistance to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea.Genetic analysis showed that THE1 and GEF4 function in the same genetic pathway to mediate plant defense responses. In addition, using transcriptome analysis, we identified various genes(such as defense-related,secondary metabolite-related, and transcription factor genes) that are likely downstream targets in the THE1-GEF4 signaling pathway. Our results suggest that THE1 functions as an upstream regulator of GEF4 signaling to positively regulate defense responses against B. cinerea in Arabidopsis.

Chemokine platelet factor 4 accelerates peripheral nerve regeneration by regulating Schwann cell activation and axon elongation

Schwann cells in peripheral nerves react to traumatic nerve injury by attempting to grow and regenerate.Howeve r,it is unclear what factors play a role in this process.In this study,we searched a GEO database and found that expression of platelet factor 4 was markedly up-regulated after sciatic nerve injury.Platelet factor is an important molecule in cell apoptosis,diffe rentiation,survival,and proliferation.Further,polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the change in platelet factor 4 in the sciatic nerve at different time points after injury.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay confirmed that platelet factor 4 was secreted by Schwann cells.We also found that silencing platelet factor 4 decreased the proliferation and migration of primary cultured Schwann cells,while exogenously applied platelet factor 4 stimulated Schwann cell prolife ration and migration and neuronal axon growth.Furthermore,knocking out platelet factor 4 inhibited the prolife ration of Schwann cells in injured rat sciatic nerve.These findings suggest that Schwann cell-secreted platelet factor 4 may facilitate peripheral nerve repair and regeneration by regulating Schwann cell activation and axon growth.Thus,platelet factor 4 may be a potential therapeutic target for traumatic peripheral nerve injury.

Sulforaphane ameliorates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by KLF4-mediated macrophage M2 polarization

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a global issue and a severe threat to public health.However, to date, no approved therapeutic drugs have been developed. Dietary interventions with naturalproducts have shown promise in preventing and treating NAFLD. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a phytocompoundwith antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and previous research has demonstrated that SFN canameliorate hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying thesebeneficial effects remain unclear. In this study, we confirmed the protective effects of SFN on excessive lipidaccumulation and inflammatory injury in a high-fat, high-fructose diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH) mouse model. We found that SFN attenuates the inflammatory injury in a macrophage cell line andthe liver of NASH mice, owing to the promotion of M1-type macrophage polarization toward the M2-type andthe regulation of inflammatory mediators. Further analysis demonstrated that this SFN-induced macrophageM2-type polarization occurs in a Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4)-dependent manner. In summary, we uncovereda new mechanism of action underlying SFN activity and provide evidence that dietary intervention with SFNmight be protective against NASH.

KLF4 Inhibits the Activation of Human Hepatic Stellate Cell In Vitro

Objective Hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)play a crucial role in liver fibrosis.Early-stage liver fibrosis is reversible and intimately associated with the state of HSCs.Kruppel-like factor 4(KLF4)plays a pivotal role in a wide array of physiological and pathological processes.This study aimed to investigate the effect of KLF4 on the proliferation,apoptosis and phenotype of quiescent HSCs Methods We designed a KLF4 lentiviral vector and a KLF4 siRNA lentiviral vector,to upregulate and silence KLF4 expression in human HSC LX-2 cells via transfection.Cell proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay.Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate.Western blotting was used to determine the levels of some quiescence and activation markers of HSCs Results Overexpression of KLF4 significantly increased the levels of E-cadherin and ZO-1,which are quiescent HSC markers,while significantly decreased the levels of N-cadherin and a-SMA,known activated HSC markers.In contrast,cell proliferation and apoptosis rates were elevated in LX-2 cells in which KLF4 expression was silenced Conclusion KLF4 inhibits the proliferation and activation of human LX-2 HSCs.It might be a key regulatory protein in the maintenance of HSC quiescence and may serve as a target for the inhibition of hepatic fibrosis.

Management of monogenic diabetes in pregnancy:A narrative review

Pregnancy in women with monogenic diabetes is potentially complex,with significant implications for both maternal and fetal health.Among these,maturity-onset diabetes of the young(MODY)stands out as a prevalent monogenic diabetes subtype frequently encountered in clinical practice.Each subtype of MODY requires a distinct approach tailored to the pregnancy,diverging from management strategies in non-pregnant individuals.Glucokinase MODY(GCK-MODY)typically does not require treatment outside of pregnancy,but special considerations arise when a woman with GCK-MODY becomes pregnant.The glycemic targets in GCK-MODY pregnancies are not exclusively dictated by the maternal/paternal MODY genotype but are also influenced by the genotype of the developing fetus.During pregnancy,the choice between sulfonylurea or insulin for treating hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-alpha(HNF1A)-MODY and HNF4A-MODY depends on the mother’s specific circumstances and the available expertise.Management of other rarer MODY subtypes is individu-alized,with decisions made on a case-by-case basis.Therefore,a collaborative approach involving expert diabetes and obstetric teams is crucial for the compre-hensive management of MODY pregnancies.

转录因子HNF1A、HNF4A和FOXA2调节肝细胞蛋白质N-糖基化

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha(HNF1A),hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha(HNF4A),and forkhead box protein A2(FOXA2)are key transcription factors that regulate a complex gene network in the liver,cre-ating a regulatory transcriptional loop.The Encode and ChIP-Atlas databases identify the recognition sites of these transcription factors in many glycosyltransferase genes.Our in silico analysis of HNF1A,HNF4A.and FOXA2 binding to the ten candidate glyco-genes studied in this work confirms a significant enrich-ment of these transcription factors specifically in the liver.Our previous studies identified HNF1A as a master regulator of fucosylation,glycan branching,and galactosylation of plasma glycoproteins.Here,we aimed to functionally validate the role of the three transcription factors on downstream glyco-gene transcriptional expression and the possible effect on glycan phenotype.We used the state-of-the-art clus-tered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/dead Cas9(CRISPR/dCas9)molecular tool for the downregulation of the HNF1A,HNF4A,and FOXA2 genes in HepG2 cells-a human liver cancer cell line.The results show that the downregulation of all three genes individually and in pairs affects the transcrip-tional activity of many glyco-genes,although downregulation of glyco-genes was not always followed by an unambiguous change in the corresponding glycan structures.The effect is better seen as an overall change in the total HepG2 N-glycome,primarily due to the extension of biantennary glycans.We propose an alternative way to evaluate the N-glycome composition via estimating the overall complexity of the glycome by quantifying the number of monomers in each glycan structure.We also propose a model showing feedback loops with the mutual activation of HNF1A-FOXA2 and HNF4A-FOXA2 affecting glyco-genes and protein glycosylation in HepG2 cells.

E-cadherin和KLF 4表达对胃癌侵袭转移的作用

观察E-cadherin,Krüppel-like factor 4(KLF4)蛋白在胃癌和正常胃黏膜组织中的表达,分析其与胃癌浸润、转移的关系.应用免疫组织化学SP法检测84例手术切除的胃癌标本及对应正常胃黏膜组织中E-cadherin,KLF4蛋白的表达.各指标之间相关因素的差异性比较采用χ2检验,E-cadherin,KLF4相关性研究采用Spearman相关分析.结果显示,与正常胃组织相比,E-cadherin、KLF4蛋白在胃癌组织中均呈低表达或者缺失(分别42.9%vs.95.24%,8.3%vs 81%,P<0.05).E-cadherin、KLF4蛋白的阳性表达率与组织分级(P<0.05)、肿瘤浸润深度(P<0.05)、淋巴转移(P<0.05)明确相关.Spearman相关分析显示KLF4蛋白与E-cadherin蛋白的表达呈正相关(P<0.05).因此,E-cadherin,KLF4蛋白水平低表达可能与胃癌浸润和转移有关,而联合检测更能有效判断胃癌这一生物学行为.

抑制EIF4E下调VEGFA和CCND1的表达以抑制卵巢癌肿瘤进展

目的探讨真核起始因子(Eukaryotic Initiation Factor,EIF)4E在卵巢癌中的作用以及对血管内皮生长因子(Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor,VEGF)A和细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1,CCND1)表达的影响。方法使用SKOV3卵巢癌细胞,分析在线数据以比较卵巢癌患者和正常样本中EIF4E、VEGFA和CCND1的表达差异。进行EIF4E抑制剂4EGI-1的三维细胞培养实验,并通过逆转录定量聚合酶链式(Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction,RT-PCR)技术和Western Blot比较mRNA和蛋白水平。结果癌症基因组图谱(Cancer Genome Atlas,TCGA)显示,卵巢癌患者中VEGFA和CCND1的表达水平显著升高,差异有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。EIF4E与VEGFA和CCND1呈正相关(P均<0.05)。在4EGI-1处理的SKOV3细胞中,EIF4E、VEGFA和CCND1表达均显著降低,差异有统计学意义(t=9.819、3.508、3.289,P均<0.05);此外,4EGI-1处理组的p-EIF4E蛋白表达水平为(0.33±0.14)%,显著低于对照组(1.02±0.07)%,差异有统计学意义(t=8.818,P=0.0001),同时4EGI-1处理组的VEGFA和CCND1蛋白水平也显著降低(t=5.064、6.334,P均<0.05)。结论EIF4E在卵巢癌肿瘤中高表达。EIF4E抑制剂4EGI-1可能通过调节VEGFA和CCND1的表达发挥作用,因此EIF4E可能成为卵巢癌治疗的潜在靶点。

人血小板因子4在大肠杆菌中的高效表达及活性研究

为了提高人血小板因子 4(humanplateletfactor 4,hPF4)的表达 ,在PT7 7 hPF4表达质粒的基础上 ,采用PCR定位突变技术 ,改造人血小板因子 4(hPF4)cDNA基因片段 ,去除cDNA 3′端非翻译区AT富含序列 ,改用大肠杆菌强串联终止密码子TAATAA ,成功构建了高效表达质粒pBV2 2 0 hPF4。摇瓶发酵重组人血小板因子 4的产量达 1 60mg L较原表达质粒PT7 7 hPF4表达量提高了近 80倍。经包涵体的洗涤、变性、复性后 ,采用鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管生成抑制实验测定复性后rhPF4的生物学活性 ,结果显示 :rhPF4具有抑制血管生成活性。

Mnk2和eIF4E在食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达及其临床意义

目的:探讨MAPK相互作用激酶-2(MAPK-interacting kinase-2,Mnk2)和真核细胞翻译起始因子4E(eukaryotic initiation factor 4E,eIF4E)在食管鳞状细胞癌中的表达及其与食管鳞状细胞癌临床病理特征的关系。方法:收集临床食管鳞癌石蜡标本98例及正常食管黏膜上皮组织20例,应用免疫组化SP法检测癌组织及正常食管黏膜组织中Mnk2和eIF4E的表达,并分析其与食管鳞癌临床病理特征的关系。结果:Mnk2在食管癌组织中的阳性率68.4%(67/98),eIF4E的阳性率为61.2%(60/98),Mnk2与eIF4E表达呈正相关(P<0.05),且Mnk2蛋白过表达与食管鳞癌的浸润深度、病理分期密切相关(P<0.05)。结论:Mnk2在食管癌组织中的过表达与浸润深度、TNM分期有关,同时与eIF4E在食管癌的表达相关,两者在食管癌的发展中有协同作用。

eIF4E与肿瘤研究进展

真核细胞翻译起始因子4E(eIF4E)是最重要的翻译起始因子,在真核细胞蛋白质合成中起重要作用。近年来研究显示,eIF4E过表达与肿瘤的发生发展关系密切。与正常组织及良性肿瘤相比较,发现很多恶性肿瘤和肿瘤旁组织中eIF4E过度表达,并与肿瘤的侵袭转移能力呈正相关。研究发现,eIF4E通过多方面调控恶性肿瘤相关mRNAs的翻译,包含细胞有丝分裂过程、激活原癌基因、血管形成、增强自分泌、细胞存活、侵袭及与细胞外环境的交通。eIF4E与肿瘤的密切关系为临床治疗肿瘤提供了新思路,更有可能成为肿瘤治疗的共同靶点和肿瘤发展与预后的预测因子。

The Prognostic Value of Pathological and Molecular Margins Marked by p53 and eIF4E in Laryngeal Carcinoma

Objective: To study the prognostic value of the pathological margin and molecular margin marked by eIF4E and P53 protein in laryngeal carcinoma. Methods: The prognostic value of pathological and molecular margin was studied in 253 cases and 67 cases respectively, the latter were pathological negative margin chosen from the former. Immunohistochemisty was used to detect the expression of eIF4E and p53 proteins. Results: The rate of pathological, p53 and eIF4E positive margins was 20.2%, 19.4% and 32.8% respectively. The recurrent rate of those with positive margins was higher than that of negative margins, which including pathological margin (70.6% vs 35.1%, P =0.0000), p53 margin (69.2% vs 33.3%, P =0.018) and eIF4E margin (63.6% vs 28.9%, P =0.018); The survival rate of those with negative margins was higher than those with positive margins, including pathological margin (the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 37.52% and 64.37% respectively, P =0.0023), p53 margin (the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 24.62% and 75.69% respectively, P =0.0012) and eIF4E margin (the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 43.31% and 77.52% respectively, P =0.0006). Conclusion: The prognosis of those with both pathological and molecular positive margins was worse than that of the negative margins; Both the eIF4E and p53 were useful markers to pick out the poor prognostic patients from those with pathological negative margin, and the former seemed to be more potential.

血小板第四因子对CD34^+白血病细胞系KG1a粘附功能的影响

目的研究血小板第四因子(PF4)对CD34+白血病细胞系KG1a细胞与人脐静脉内皮细胞系ECV-304细胞之间粘附性及对多种粘附分子表达的影响。方法采用粘附实验、粘附阻断实验、MTT染色、半定量RT-PCR、免疫标记流式细胞仪测定等方法。结果穴1雪PF4可以增加KG1a细胞与ECV-304细胞之间的粘附作用。PF4与KG1a及ECV-304细胞同时孵育或与KG1a或ECV-304细胞单独孵育,均使KG1a细胞粘附能力增加。穴2雪抗粘附分子CD49d、CD106、CD54单克隆抗体可显著减少PF4对KG1a粘附的增加作用,而抗粘附分子CD62L、CD62E、CD62P单抗则对PF4的这种增加粘附的作用没有影响。穴3雪在PF4作用的3h内,半定量RT-PCR检测粘附分子CD49d、CD106、CD54mRNA表达水平有不同程度的上调。(4)PF4作用2h后,流式细胞仪分析显示KG1a细胞上的CD49d、ECV-304细胞上的CD54蛋白表达水平显著增加。结论PF4通过上调粘附分子的表达促进KG1a细胞的粘附功能。

Mechanisms simultaneously regulate smooth muscle proliferation and differentiation

Vascular smooth muscle cell （VSMC） differentiation and proliferation are two important physiological proc- esses during vascular development. The phenotypic alteration from differentiated to proliferative VSMC contrib- utes to the development of several major cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, hypertension, resteno- sis after angioplasty or bypass, diabetic vascular complications, and transplantation arteriopathy. Since the VSMC phenotype in these pathological conditions resembles that of developing VSMC during embryonic development, understanding of the molecular mechanisms that control VSMC differentiation will provide fundamental insights into the pathological processes of these cardiovascular diseases. Although VSMC differentiation is usually ac- companied by an irreversible cell cycle exit, VSMC proliferation and differentiation occur concurrently during embryonic development. The molecular mechanisms simultaneously regulating these two processes, however, remain largely unknown. Our recent study demonstrates that cell division cycle 7, a key regulator of cell cycle, promotes both VSMC differentiation and proliferation through different mechanisms during the initial phase of VSMC differentiation. Conversely, Kriappel-like factor 4 appears to be a repressor for both VSMC differentia- tion and proliferation. This review attempts to highlight the novel role of cell division cycle 7 in TGF-β-induced VSMC differentiation and proliferation. The role of K141ppel-like factor 4 in suppressing these two processes will also be discussed.

Facilitating effects of berberine on rat pancreatic islets through modulating hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha expression and glucokinase activity

AIM： To observe the effect of berberine on insulin secretion in rat pancreatic islets and to explore its possible molecular mechanism. METHODS： Pdmary rat islets were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats by collagenase digestion and treated with different concentrations （1, 3, 10 and 30 μmol/L） of berberine or 1 μmol/L Glibenclamide （GB） for 24 h. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion （GSIS） assay was conducted and insulin was determined by radioimmunoassay. 3-（4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl）- 2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide （MTT） assay was performed to evaluate cytotoxicity. The mRNA level of hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha （HAIF4α） was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Indirect immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis were employed to detect protein expression of HNF4α in the islets. Glucokinase （GK） activity was measured by spectrophotometric method. RESULTS： Berberine enhanced GSIS rather than basal insulin secretion dose-dependently in rat islets and showed no significant cytotoxicity on islet cells at the concentration of 10 μmol/L. Both mRNA and protein expressions of HNF4α were up-regulated by berberine in a dose-dependent manner, and GK activity was also increased accordingly. However, GB demonstrated no regulatory effects on HNF4α expression or GK activity. CONCLUSION： Berberine can enhance GSIS in rat islets, and probably exerts the insulinotropic effect via a pathway involving HNF4α and GK, which is distinct from sulphonylureas （SUs）.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha involvement in liver and intestinal inflammatory networks

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (HNF4-&#x003b1;) is a nuclear receptor regulating metabolism, cell junctions, differentiation and proliferation in liver and intestinal epithelial cells. Mutations within the HNF4A gene are associated with human diseases such as maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Recently, HNF4A has also been described as a susceptibility gene for ulcerative colitis in genome-wide association studies. In addition, specific HNF4A genetic variants have been identified in pediatric cohorts of Crohn&#x02019;s disease. Results obtained from knockout mice supported that HNF4-&#x003b1; can protect the intestinal mucosae against inflammation. However, the exact molecular links behind HNF4-&#x003b1; and inflammatory bowel diseases remains elusive. In this review, we will summarize the current knowledge about the role of HNF4-&#x003b1; and its isoforms in inflammation. Specific nature of HNF4-&#x003b1; P1 and P2 classes of isoforms will be summarized. HNF4-&#x003b1; role as a hepatocyte mediator for cytokines relays during liver inflammation will be integrated based on documented examples of the literature. Conclusions that can be made from these earlier liver studies will serve as a basis to extrapolate correlations and divergences applicable to intestinal inflammation. Finally, potential functional roles for HNF4-&#x003b1; isoforms in protecting the intestinal mucosae from chronic and pathological inflammation will be presented.

HNF-4α determines hepatic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow

AIM: To investigate the differentiation status and key factors to facilitate hepatic differentiation of human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS: Human MSCs derived from bone marrow were induced into hepatocyte-like cells following a previously published protocol. The differentiation status of the hepatocyte-like cells was compared with various human hepatoma cell lines. Overexpression of hepatocyte nuclear factor (HNF)-4α was mediated by adenovirus infection of these hepatocyte-like cells. The expression of interesting genes was then examined by either re-verse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or real-time RT-PCR methods. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that the differentiation status of hepatocyte-like cells induced from human MSCs was relatively similar to poorly differentiated human hepatoma cell lines. Interestingly, the HNF-4 isoform in induced MSCs and poorly differentiated human hepatoma cell lines was identified as HNF4γ instead of HNF-4α. Overexpression of HNF-4α in induced MSCs significantly enhanced the expression level of hepatic-specific genes, liver-enriched transcription factors, and cytochrome P450 (P450) genes. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of HNF-4α improves the hepatic differentiation of human MSCs from bone marrow and is a simple way of providing better cell sources for clinical applications.

Crohn’s disease-Defect in innate defence

Crohn’s disease may prinicipally involve the whole gastrointestinal tract. Most commonly, the inflammation occurs in the small intestine and/or in the colon with stable disease location over the years. The pathogenesis of both disease phenotypes is complex, the likely primary defect lies in the innate rather than adaptive immunity, particularly in the chemical antimicrobial barrier of the mucosa. Crohn’s ileitis is associated with a reduced expression of the Wnt signalling pathway transcription factor T-cell factor 4 (TCF4), which is regulating Paneth cell differentiation. As a result, the alpha-defensins and principal Paneth cell products HD5 and HD6 are deficiently expressed in ileal disease, independent of current inflammation. In contrast, Crohn’s colitis is typically associated with an impaired induction of the beta-defensins HBD2 and HBD3 caused by fewer gene copy numbers in the gene locus of the beta-defensins on chromosome 8. This ileal and colonic defect in innate defence mediated by a deficiency of the protective alpha- and beta- defensins may enable the luminal microbes to invade the mucosa and trigger the inflammation. A better understanding of the exact molecular mechanisms behind ileal and colonic Crohn’s disease may give rise to new therapeutic strategies based on a stimulation of the protective innate immune system.

WWP2 promotes degradation of transcription factor OCT4 in human embryonic stem cells

POU transcription factor OCT4 not only plays an essential role in maintaining the pluripotent and self-renewing state of embryonic stem （ES） cells but also acts as a cell fate determinant through a gene dosage effect. However, the molecular mechanisms that control the intracellular OCT4 protein level remain elusive. Here, we report that human WWP2, an E3 ubiquitin （Ub）-protein ligase, interacts with OCT4 specifically through its WW domain and enhances Ub modification of OCT4 both in vitro and in vivo. We first demonstrated that endogenous OCT4 in hu- man ES cells can be post-translationally modified by Ub. Furthermore, we found that WWP2 promoted degradation of OCT4 through the 26S proteasome in a dosage-dependent manner, and the active site cysteine residue of WWP2 was required for both its enzymatic activity and proteolytic effect on OCT4. Remarkably, our data show that the en- dogenous OCT4 protein level was significantly elevated when WWP2 expression was downregulated by specific RNA interference （RNAi）, suggesting that WWP2 is an important regulator for maintaining a proper OCT4 protein level in human ES cells. Moreover, northern blot analysis showed that the WWP2 transcript was widely present in diverse human tissues/organs and highly expressed in undifferentiated human ES cells. However, its expression level was quickly decreased after human ES cells differentiated, indicating that WWP2 expression might be developmentally regulated. Our findings demonstrate that WWP2 is an important regulator of the OCT4 protein level in human ES cells.