Zscan4: A Gene Critical for Early Embryonic Development
Description of Invention:
Activation of transcription from the embryonic genome, known as zygotic genome activation (ZGA), marks the key switch from maternal to embryonic control of development and establishes gene expression patterns required for continued development of the embryo. Genes expressed during ZGA may be important for assisted reproductive technologies, and in stem cell research and development.
The inventors have identified Zscan4, a gene expressed solely in late 2-cell stage embryos and in embryonic stem cells. Inhibition of Zscan4 expression using siRNA techniques delays progression from the 2-cell stage to the 4-cell stage, and produces blastocysts that fail to implant in the mouse embryo. Thus, Zscan4 plays an essential role in early embryonic development, with potential applications for the development of stem cell therapeutics. The invention discloses methods of promoting blastocyst outgrowth of embryonic stem cells. Also disclosed are Zscan4 expression vectors and methods of identifying a subpopulation of stem cells expressing Zscan4.
Applications:
Development of stem cell therapeutics
Assisted reproduction technologies and studies of early embryonic development
Market:
State and federal funding for stem cell research is predicted to reach $10 billion by 2018.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-088-2007/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/920,215 filed 26 Mar 2007
PCT Application No. PCT/US2008/058261 filed 26 Mar 2008, which published as WO 2008/118957 on 02 Oct 2008
Relevant Publication: G Falco et al. Zscan4: A novel gene expressed exclusively in late 2-cell embryos and embryonic stem cells. Dev Biol. 2007 Jul 15;307(2):539-550. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
For Additional Information Please Contact: Tara L. Kirby Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4426
Email: tarak@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
