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. 2010 Nov 1;24(21):2408–2419. doi: 10.1101/gad.1987810

Figure 8.

Figure 8.

A model to explain how Δ40p53 regulates the progression from pluripotency to differentiation in ESCs. In early embryos and ESCs (yellow symbols), Δ40p53 expression is high. Pluripotency is maintained by blocking p53 transsuppression of critical factors, such as Nanog and the IGF-1R. One mechanism by which this could occur could be tetramerization of p53 with Δ40p53 and sequestration in the cytoplasm. As Δ40p53 expression in the embryo declines, p53 transsuppression can occur, causing extinction of Nanog and loss of pluripotency. Reduced signaling through the IGF-1R restricts proliferation to levels typical of somatic cells. In maternal tissues, shown here as a gray box, p53 transactivates LIF, a factor essential for implantation.