TFAP2C facilitates somatic cell reprogramming by inhibiting c-Myc-dependent apoptosis and promoting mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition

Transcription factors are known to mediate the conversion of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Transcription factor TFAP2C plays important roles in the regulation of embryonic development and carcinogenesis; however, the roles of Tfap2c in regulating somatic cell reprogramming are not well understood. Here we demonstrate Tfap2c is induced during the generation of iPSCs from mouse fibroblasts and acts as a facilitator for iPSCs formation. Mechanistically, the c-Myc-dependent apoptosis, which is a roadblock to reprogramming, can be significantly mitigated by Tfap2c overexpression. Meanwhile, Tfap2c can greatly promote mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) at initiation stage of OSKM-induced reprogramming. Further analysis of gene expression and targets of Tfap2c during reprogramming by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and ChIP-qPCR indicates that TFAP2C can promote epithelial gene expression by binding to their promoters directly. Finally, knockdown of E-cadherin (Cdh1), an important downstream target of TFAP2C and a critical regulator of MET antagonizes Tfap2c-mediated reprogramming. Taken together, we conclude that Tfap2c serves as a strong activator for somatic cell reprogramming through promoting the MET and inhibiting c-Myc-dependent apoptosis.