AICAR
increases expression of pluripotency markers in R1/E and
D3 ES cells. Cells were cultured with or without (A) 0.5 mM or (A,
B, C, D, and F) 1 mM AICAR or (E) 2 mM metformin for 120 h or the
indicated time (A) in the presence or absence of 1000 U/mL LIF. The
levels of Nanog, Rex1, Oct3/4, and Sox2 mRNAs were analyzed by real-time
RT-PCR, corrected for differences in β-actin mRNA levels (as
endogenous gene), and expressed as fold induction. Values are plotted
as the mean ± SEM (n = 4). Statistical significance:
*p < 0.01 for AICAR- or metformin- and LIF-treated
versus LIF-treated; **p < 0.01 for AICAR- or metformin-treated
and LIF untreated versus LIF untreated.