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World J Stem Cells. Jul 26, 2014; 6(3): 305-311
Published online Jul 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i3.305
Published online Jul 26, 2014. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i3.305
Sox2, a key factor in the regulation of pluripotency and neural differentiation
Shuchen Zhang, Wei Cui, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
Author contributions: Zhang S and Cui W wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Wei Cui, PhD, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. wei.cui@imperial.ac.uk
Telephone: +44-20-75942124
Received: November 28, 2013
Revised: April 7, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: July 26, 2014
Revised: April 7, 2014
Accepted: May 16, 2014
Published online: July 26, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Sex determining region Y-box 2 (Sox2) plays important roles in pluripotent stem cells, not only for maintaining their pluripotency but also for directing their neural differentiation. There have been many intensive studies in the last decade, which serve to ascertain the function of Sox2 in these processes. In this review, we have summarized the recent progress made regarding the involvement of Sox2 in pluripotency, somatic cell reprogramming and neural differentiation as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these roles.