Epithelial cadherin regulates transition between the naïve and primed pluripotent states in mouse embryonic stem cells

Inhibition of E-cad in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) leads to a switch from LIF-BMP to Activin/Nodal-dependent pluripotency, consistent with transition from a naïve to primed pluripotent phenotype. We have used both genetic ablation and steric inhibition of E-cad function in mESCs to assess alterations to phenotype using Q6 quantitative MS/MS analysis, network models, and functional assays. Proteomic analyses revealed that one third of detected proteins were altered in E-cad null mESCs (Ecad−/− mESCs) compared to wild type (624 proteins were downregulated and 705 were proteins upregulated). Network pathway analysis and subsequent cellular flux assays confirmed a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to aerobic glycolysis, specifically through mitochondrial complex III downregulation and hypoxia inducible factor 1a target upregulation. Central to this was the transcriptional
coactivator EP300. E-cad is a well-known tumor suppressor, its downregulation during cancer initiation and metastasis can be linked to the metabolic switch known as Warburg effect. This study highlights a phenomena found in both primed pluripotent state and cancer stemness and links it to loss of E-cad. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD012679.