Nodal/Smad2 signaling maintains diapause in the mouse embryo.

Abstract

Embryonic diapause is a reversible dormant state that allows mammalian blastocysts to survive periods of environmental or metabolic stress. In this issue of Developmental Cell, Furlan et al.1 report that Nodal/Smad2 signaling sustains diapause by repressing Pparg-driven lipid storage in the blastocyst.