Employing core regulatory circuits to define cell identity
Open Access
- 2 May 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in The EMBO Journal
- Vol. 40 (10), e106785
- https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.2020106785
Abstract
The interplay between extrinsic signaling and downstream gene networks controls the establishment of cell identity during development and its maintenance in adult life. Advances in next-generation sequencing and single-cell technologies have revealed additional layers of complexity in cell identity. Here, we review our current understanding of transcription factor (TF) networks as key determinants of cell identity. We discuss the concept of the core regulatory circuit as a set of TFs and interacting factors that together define the gene expression profile of the cell. We propose the core regulatory circuit as a comprehensive conceptual framework for defining cellular identity and discuss its connections to cell function in different contexts.Keywords
Funding Information
- Wellcome (108874/Z/15/Z)
This publication has 133 references indexed in Scilit:
- An integrated encyclopedia of DNA elements in the human genomeNature, 2012
- Control of the Embryonic Stem Cell StateCell, 2011
- A unique chromatin signature uncovers early developmental enhancers in humansNature, 2010
- Emerging properties of animal gene regulatory networksNature, 2010
- Direct conversion of fibroblasts to functional neurons by defined factorsNature, 2010
- High-Resolution Mapping and Characterization of Open Chromatin across the GenomeCell, 2008
- A Chromatin Landmark and Transcription Initiation at Most Promoters in Human CellsCell, 2007
- Core Transcriptional Regulatory Circuitry in Human Embryonic Stem CellsCell, 2005
- Reverse engineering of regulatory networks in human B cellsNature Genetics, 2005
- Cytoplasmic activation of human nuclear genes in stable heterocaryonsCell, 1983