Protein factors supporting undifferentiated growth of human embryonic stem cells

摘要

Factors which are secreted by mouse embryonic fibroblasts which promote maintenance and support the growth of human embryonic stem (hES) cells are provided. The factors can be isolated by chromatographic techniques. The genes, cDNA and amino acid sequences for the factors are disclosed herein and identified. The cDNA of one factor encodes a deduced nitroreductase family containing protein with 285 amino acids and a mass of approximately 33 kD. This factor is identified as iodotyrosine dehalogenase. A second factor supporting undifferentiated hES cell growth is a 453 amino acid encoded by an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene. The use of recombinant factors can eliminate the need for an MEF feeder layer for growing hES cells without differentiation.