Abstract: The invention provides a method of effecting de-differentiation of an at least partially differentiated cell or of maintaining pluripotency and/or self-renewing characteristics of an undifferentiated cell. The method comprises increasing the amount or the activity of an Err protein, or a functional fragment thereof, in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for maintaining pluripotency and/or self-renewing characteristics of stem/progenitor cells. The invention also relates to a method for modulating gene expression in a cell. The methods include contacting at least two transcription factors, or a functional fragment thereof, with the promoter region of the nanog gene. One of the at least two transcription factors is selected from the POU- and homeo-domain-containing transcription factors. Another of the at least two transcription factors is selected from the HMG domain-containing transcription factors. The method further comprises allowing the at least two transcription factors to form a complex with a specific binding element within the nanog promoter. The complex thus formed regulates nanog gene expression by mediating transcriptional activation.