Faf2 is required for neural differentiation in embryonic neural progenitor cells

Instructive cues including signaling molecules and transcription factor networks have been well studied in this context, but permissive factors such as cell homeostasis have not. Cell homeostasis is critical to support the health and stability of a cell and enable the cell to act on instructive differentiation cues.

Our study investigates a homeostasis protein, FAF2, and its function in neural progenitor cells. FAF2 is an adaptor protein involved in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) associated degradation to remove misfolded proteins and restore ER homeostasis. Here we show that knocking out FAF2 in neural progenitor cells results in increased ER stress signature at the protein and transcription level, indicating a conserved functional role in neural progenitor cells.