The transcription factor POU5f1/OCT4 controls pluripotency in mammalian ES cells, but little is known about its functions in the early embryo. We used time-resolved transcriptome analysis of zebrafish pou5f1 MZspg mutant embryos to identify genes regulated by Pou5f1. Comparison to mammalian systems defines evolutionary conserved Pou5f1 targets. Time-series data reveal many Pou5f1 targets with delayed or advanced onset of expression. We identify two Pou5f1-dependent mechanisms controlling developmental timing. First, several Pou5f1 targets are transcriptional repressors, mediating repression of differentiation genes in distinct embryonic compartments. We analyze her3 gene regulation as example for a repressor in the neural anlagen. Second, the dynamics of SoxB1 group gene expression and Pou5f1-dependent regulation of her3 and foxD3 uncovers differential requirements for SoxB1 activity to control temporal dynamics of activation, and spatial distribution of targets in the embryo. We establish a mathematical model of the early Pou5f1 and SoxB1 gene network to demonstrate regulatory characteristics important for developmental timing. The temporospatial structure of the zebrafish Pou5f1 target networks may explain aspects of the evolution of the mammalian stem cell networks.

中文翻译：

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斑马鱼Pou5f1依赖的转录网络在早期发育的时间控制。

转录因子POU5f1 / OCT4控制哺乳动物ES细胞中的多能性，但对其在早期胚胎中的功能知之甚少。我们使用斑马鱼pou5f1 MZspg突变体胚胎的时间分辨转录组分析来鉴定由Pou5f1调控的基因。与哺乳动物系统的比较定义了进化保守的Pou5f1目标。时间序列数据显示许多Pou5f1靶标具有延迟或晚期的发作。我们确定两个Pou5f1依赖机制控制发育时间。首先，几个Pou5f1靶标是转录阻遏物，介导不同胚胎区室中分化基因的阻遏。我们分析her3基因调控作为神经anlagen中的阻遏物的示例。第二，SoxB1组基因表达的动力学以及对her3和foxD3的Pou5f1依赖性调节揭示了对SoxB1活性的不同要求，以控制激活的时间动力学和靶标在胚胎中的空间分布。我们建立了早期Pou5f1和SoxB1基因网络的数学模型，以证明对于发育时机重要的调控特性。斑马鱼Pou5f1目标网络的颞pat结构可能解释了哺乳动物干细胞网络进化的各个方面。