Unveiling the Evolutionary Roots of Pluripotency
An international team of researchers has achieved a groundbreaking milestone: creating mouse stem cells capable of forming a fully developed mouse using ancient genetic tools from a single-celled organism. This revolutionary experiment reshapes our understanding of stem cells and their evolutionary origins.
Led by Dr. Alex de Mendoza of Queen Mary University of London, the study utilized genes from choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals. These single-celled organisms possess ancient versions of Sox and POU genes, known for driving pluripotency in mammalian stem cells. This challenges the long-held belief that such genes evolved exclusively within animals.
The team successfully replaced the native Sox2 gene in mouse cells with choanoflagellate Sox genes, reprogramming the cells to a pluripotent state. When injected into mouse embryos, the reprogrammed cells integrated into the developing mouse, confirming their compatibility.
This research suggests that early versions of Sox and POU proteins, originally used by unicellular ancestors for basic cellular processes, were later adapted for complex body development in animals. The findings provide critical insights into evolutionary biology and highlight the genetic continuity across nearly a billion years of evolution.
Beyond evolutionary significance, the discovery holds promise for regenerative medicine. Understanding the ancient roots of stem cell mechanisms could lead to optimized therapies, improved cell reprogramming, and innovative synthetic gene applications for treating diseases or repairing tissues.
