Ascl1 and Ngn2 convert mouse embryonic stem cells to neurons via functionally distinct paths

Gintautas Vainorius (), Maria Novatchkova, Georg Michlits, Juliane Christina Baar, Cecilia Raupach, Joonsun Lee, Ramesh Yelagandula, Marius Wernig and Ulrich Elling ()
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Gintautas Vainorius: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Maria Novatchkova: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Georg Michlits: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Juliane Christina Baar: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Cecilia Raupach: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Joonsun Lee: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Ramesh Yelagandula: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)
Marius Wernig: Stanford University
Ulrich Elling: Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Science (IMBA), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3, Vienna BioCenter (VBC)

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Ascl1 and Ngn2, closely related proneural transcription factors, are able to convert mouse embryonic stem cells into induced neurons. Despite their similarities, these factors elicit only partially overlapping transcriptional programs, and it remains unknown whether cells are converted via distinct mechanisms. Here we show that Ascl1 and Ngn2 induce mutually exclusive side populations by binding and activating distinct lineage drivers. Furthermore, Ascl1 rapidly dismantles the pluripotency network and installs neuronal and trophoblast cell fates, while Ngn2 generates a neural stem cell-like intermediate supported by incomplete shutdown of the pluripotency network. Using CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening, we find that Ascl1 relies more on factors regulating pluripotency and the cell cycle, such as Tcf7l1. In the absence of Tcf7l1, Ascl1 still represses core pluripotency genes but fails to exit the cell cycle. However, overexpression of Cdkn1c induces cell cycle exit and restores the generation of neurons. These findings highlight that cell type conversion can occur through two distinct mechanistic paths, even when induced by closely related transcription factors.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40803-y

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