Proposed model of Cnot1, Cnot2, and Cnot3 in ESC maintenance. Cnot1, Cnot2, and Cnot3 maintain mouse and human ESC identity and self-renewal by inhibiting differentiation into the extraembryonic lineages. Abbreviations: BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; ESC, embryonic stem cell; FGF, fibroblast growth factor; LIF, leukemia inhibitory factor.