Figure 6.
Overexpression of Pax6a converts hESCs to the neural fate in inducible lines. A, Native hESCs were differentiated for 4, 6 and 10 days to the neural lineage and gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR. Pax6 along with other NE genes are significantly transcribed during differentiation. In contrast, extraembryonic markers Cdx2 and Gata6; epidermal markers K18 and Lama3; mesodermal and endodermal markers Brachyury and Sox17 are not expressed when the cells are differentiated to NE. B, Induction of GFP or Pax6b-GFP expression does not alter the expression of any of the neural genes. Expression of Pax6a or Pax6a-GFP in hESCs causes expression of neural specific genes, but not other lineage markers. The trophectoderm marker Cdx2 is slightly transcribed but only after 5 days of Pax6b induction.