Paf1/PD2 affects lineage-specific genes in ESCs. (A): Analysis of lineage-specific markers for ectoderm (Calbindin and Snail), endoderm (Gata4 [**, p < .0001] and Gata6 [**, p < .0001]), mesoderm (Brachyury and Sox18), and trophoectoderm (Cdx2) layers in WT ESCs and PD2+/− ESCs by QRT-PCR. (B): Induced embryoid body (EB) formation in both WT ESCs and PD2+/− ESCs (scale bar = 0.8 mm). Defective and smaller embryoid body formation in Paf1/PD2 knockout ESCs compared with ESCs. (C): QRT-PCR analysis showed the expression of lineage-specific markers for ectoderm (Calbindin, Snail, and PitX2), endoderm (Gata4 [*, p = .01], Fgf8 [**, p < .0001], and Gata6 [**, p < .0001]), mesoderm (Brachyury and Sox18), and trophoectoderm (Cdx2) layers in embryoid body of WT ESCs and PD2+/− ESCs. Abbreviations: EB, embryoid body; PD2+/−, PD2 heterozygous knockout.