Fig. 1.

The lack or reduced level of REST in ES cells abrogates neuronal gene repression but does not compromise ES cell pluripotency. (A) Quantitative RT-PCR showing that Rest mRNA is reduced by 50% in Rest^+/– ES cells and is absent in Rest^–/– ES cells. Inset shows reduced level of REST protein in Rest^+/– ES cells and its absence in Rest^–/– ES cells. (B) Quantitative RT-PCR of neuronal gene mRNAs indicating that most of the RE-1-containing genes were derepressed in Rest^–/– ES cells and Rest^+/– ES cells. (C) Alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining is similar in Rest^+/+, Rest^+/– and Rest^–/– ES cells cultured on mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). All error bars are mean ± s.e.m. based on three independent experiments. ^*P<0.05.