The neuronal repressor protein REST (also known as NRSF) maintains self renewal and pluripotency in embryonic stem cells through suppression of the miRNA-21, and is therefore a newly identified member of the transcriptional network maintaining stem cells in a pluripotent state. Knocking down its activity by using of siRNA or deletion of one allele caused loss of self renewal and led the cells to express differentiated markers.
- Sanjay K. Singh
- Mohamedi N. Kagalwala
- Sadhan Majumder
