ROLE AND DYNAMICS OF POU TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS IN THE CONTROL OF PLURIPOTENCY AND DIFFERENTIATION

Transcriptional regulation is the fundamental process that controls gene expression, which in turn determines how cells multiply, what they become and whether they live or die. It is therefore not surprising that a wide range of diseases is caused by dysregulation of this process, from cancer to neurodegeneration. Understanding how the main players involved control cell integrity and growth is essential to unravel the mechanisms of disease and to develop new therapeutic approaches. Some of these players are POU transcription factors, which are critical regulators of the processes that give rise to the cell types of the body and determine how cells respond to their environment. This project aims to understand the function of some these factors, by identifying the set of genes they regulate and their role in development. One of these factors is Oct-1, which as opposed to the others e.g. Oct-4, is the only one of the family expressed in all cell types throughout development. Its fundamental function as well as its interaction and overlap with other POU factors is unknown and will provide an insight into the programming of development and modulation of cell behaviour. As such, this study will contribute to the understanding of fundamental cellular processes and the defects leading to disease. For example, Oct-1 expression is increased in many cancers and understanding its mechanisms will provide insights into this disease. Furthermore, this project aims to explore interference with the activity of these factors to modulate cancer cell growth as novel strategies for therapy.