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Nutrient uptake strategies shift during mouse epiblast development

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Murine blastocysts and embryonic stem cells mimicking the pre-implantation epiblast import extracellular protein through macropinocytosis and engage a robust lysosomal digestive programme to meet their nutrient demands. We found that as development proceeds, post-implantation epiblast-like cells downregulate protein digestion, increase expression of amino acid transporters and become dependent on soluble amino acids.

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Fig. 1: A metabolic switch from digestive to absorptive metabolism during embryo development.

References

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This is a summary of: Todorova, P. K. et al. Amino acid intake strategies define pluripotent cell states. Nat. Metab. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-023-00940-6 (2024).

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Nutrient uptake strategies shift during mouse epiblast development. Nat Metab 6, 16–17 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-023-00941-5

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