In order to specify the correct lineage at the correct time, the developing embryo must maintain tight control over the gene regulatory networks that enact these changes. Sall4 has long been associated with the regulation of embryonic stem cell (ESC) self-renewal and differentiation; however, teasing out its precise role has been difficult. Now, on p. 3074, Brian Hendrich and colleagues present a comprehensive analysis of the role of Sall4 in self-renewal and differentiation, and shed light on the nature of its interaction with the NuRD complex during these events. Using a series of phenotypical and transcriptional analyses of double Sall4/1 knockout mouse ESCs (mESCs), the authors show that Sall1 and Sall4 are dispensable for ESC pluripotency but are required to repress neuronal differentiation. Remarkably, the authors observed the spontaneous production of neurons alongside self-renewing mESCs in the double knockout mESCs. Genome-wide analyses demonstrate that, although a small proportion of Sall4 does indeed interact with NuRD, Sall4 neither recruits nor functions through the NuRD complex. Rather, Sall4 is seen to bind to enhancer sequences along with the pluripotency-associated transcription factors Pou5f1, Nanog, Klf4 and Esrrb, which can result in either gene activation or repression. Together, these data shed light on a number of previously unresolved issues with regard to the function of Sall4 in mammalian development.
Sall4 is dispensable for mouse pluripotency
- Split-screen
- Views Icon Views
-
Article Versions Icon
Versions
- Version of Record 01 September 2016
- Share Icon Share
-
Tools Icon
Tools
- Search Site
Sall4 is dispensable for mouse pluripotency. Development 1 September 2016; 143 (17): e1702. doi:
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
Biologists @ 100 - join us in Liverpool in March 2025

We are excited to invite you to a unique scientific conference, celebrating the 100-year anniversary of The Company of Biologists, and bringing together our different communities. The conference will incorporate the Spring Meetings of the BSCB and the BSDB, the JEB Symposium Sensory Perception in a Changing World and a DMM programme on antimicrobial resistance. Find out more and register by 28 February 2025 to join us in March 2025 in Liverpool, UK.
Call for papers – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues

Development invites you to submit your latest research to our upcoming special issue – Lifelong Development: the Maintenance, Regeneration and Plasticity of Tissues. This issue will be coordinated by Guest Editors Meritxell Huch (Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Germany) and Mansi Srivastava (Harvard University and Museum of Comparative Zoology, USA), working alongside our team of academic Editors. Submit your articles by 15 May 2025.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology

In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
In preprints
Did you know that Development publishes perspectives on recent preprints? These articles help our readers navigate the ever-growing preprint literature. We welcome proposals for ‘In preprints’ articles, so please do get in touch if you’d like to contribute.