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Unique properties of chromatin in embryonic stem (ES) cells contribute to the maintenance of pluripotency
and of the ability to self-renew. Lineage specification occurs by the implementation of
genome-expression-programmes that give each cell-type a unique transcriptional profile.
Current genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation chip assay data reveal that C2H2 zinc finger genes/proteins
(ZNF) are differentially regulated targets from embryonic stem cells to lineage specific genes as supported
by recent in-house results obtained on RT-PCRs of RNA from human testis and fetal brain tissues. Human
embryonic carcinoma cell lines such as NCCIT and Ntera-2 are taken in the un- and differentiated state as
model systems i. to determine ZNF and ZNF target gene functions, ii. to determine posttranslational
modifications of the KRAB binding protein TIF1beta (KAP1, TRIM28) and associated binding partners thereof,
iii. to evaluate chromatin-modifying activities associated wtih KRAB-ZNF/Tif1beta complexes, and iv. to
assign to and to validate these properties and activities on human ES cells. With the support of curated
data sets of publicly available genome-wide ChIP-Chip data as well as in-house data on ZNF genes stored in
the local ZNF database, functional networks shall be determined for distinguishing self-renewal states
from lineage-specific differentiation. The URL: www.zinc-finger.de will be connected to the ProteoBase
(our local laboratory-information and management system) for handling complex data sets and will be made
accessible for collaborating partners.
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