Pluripotency is the defining characteristic of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) , allowing them to differentiate into any somatic cell in the human body. For the promising clinical applications of hESCs, improved regulation of pluripotency and differentiation trajectories of in-vitro colonies is required. It has been shown that the pluripotency transcription factor OCT4 is inherited asymmetricallyand that OCT4 is more similar in closely related cells. Here we use available experimental data to quantify the temporal dynamics of  OCT4 over a cell lifetime. We evaluate the internal self-regulation of OCT4  , quantify the intra-cellular fluctuations and consider the diffusive nature of OCT4 over time for individual  and pairs of related cells. This quantitative framework provides a basis for comparison to other experiments, and the development of mathematical models of pluripotency.\\%DIF > of cells, on average between three and 12 hours into the cell cycle. The OCT4 fluctuations between five minute intervals follow a Laplace distribution, with BMP4 addition provoking smaller changes and tighter self-regulation, particularly in the differentiated fate group. This quantitative framework provides a basis for comparison to other experiments, and the development of mathematical models of pluripotency.
Pluripotency is the defining characteristic of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) allowing them to differentiate into any somatic cell in the human body. For the promising clinical applications of hESCs, improved regulation of pluripotency and differentiation trajectories of colonies is required. The pluripotency transcription factors (PTFs) which regulate pluripotency are inherently stochastic (with small fluctuations impacting cell fate), inherited asymmetrically, and more similar in closely related cells. Here we use available time-lapse experimental data of OCT4 fluorescence intensity to quantify the temporal dynamics of the PTF OCT4 over a cell lifetime. We evaluate the internal self-regulation of OCT4 using the Hurst exponent and autocorrelation analysis , quantify the intra-cellular fluctuations and consider the diffusive nature of OCT4 over time for individual cells and pairs of their descendants. After possible asymmetric splitting, OCT4 abundance fluctuates sub-diffusively, showing anti-persistent self-regulation with a Hurst exponent of 0.38. Auto-correlation analysis shows anti-persistence for five hours or longer is seen in 86\\%DIF > of cells, on average between three and 12 hours into the cell cycle. The OCT4 fluctuations between five minute intervals follow a Laplace distribution, with BMP4 addition provoking smaller changes and tighter self-regulation, particularly in the differentiated fate group. This quantitative framework provides a basis for comparison to other experiments, and the development of mathematical models of pluripotency.
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in-vitro
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It has been shown that the pluripotency transcription factor OCT4 is inherited asymmetricallyand that OCT4 is
The pluripotency transcription factors (PTFs) which regulate pluripotency are inherently stochastic (with small fluctuations impacting cell fate), inherited asymmetrically, and
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experimental data
time-lapse experimental data of OCT4 fluorescence intensity
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the PTF
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using the Hurst exponent and autocorrelation analysis
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cells
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related cells. This quantitative framework provides a basis for comparison to other experiments, and the development of mathematical models of pluripotency.
their descendants. After possible asymmetric splitting, OCT4 abundance fluctuates sub-diffusively, showing anti-persistent self-regulation with a Hurst exponent of 0.38. Auto-correlation analysis shows anti-persistence for five hours or longer is seen in 86