Transcriptional potency measurements by Potency-Seq of hybrid cells

Cell potency refers the developmental potential of given cells to differentiate into more specified identities. Gene transcriptional potency describes the capacity of given genes to respond to transcriptional activators. To evaluate the relationship between gene potency and cell potency, cells of varying developmental were measured of their genome-wide transcriptional potency by Potency-Seq. Briefly, transcriptional regulators of an alternative cell fate was introduced by cell fusion, then the transcriptional potency of a previously silent gene can be evaluated by whether they respond and become activated, or remain silent despite active transcription from fusion partner's genome. Transcripts from the fusion partner's genome can be distinguished by genetic variants between the fusion partners.