The Functions of O-GlcNAc in Pluripotent Stem Cells

Abstract

O-linked N-acetylglucosaminylation (O-GlcNAcylation) is a glycosylation characterized by the attachment of a single N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to the serine/threonine residues of nuclear, mitochondrial, and cytoplasmic proteins. Proteins modified by O-GlcNAc include signaling components, transcription factors, epigenetic regulators, and histones. O-GlcNAc has various functions such as inhibition of phosphorylation, regulation of transcriptional activity, stabilization of proteins, and regulation of intracellular localization. In recent years, O-GlcNAc has been drawing attention as a key factor for regulating the undifferentiated/differentiated state in mouse/human pluripotent stem cells, and the functions of O-GlcNAc have been gradually clarified. In this review, we introduce the versatile functions of O-GlcNAc in mouse/human pluripotent stem cells.