Pluripotin is a small molecule shown to sustain self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells. In order to maintain embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated state, it is typically necessary to use a combination of feeder cells, leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF) and bone morphogenic protein (BMP); Pluripotin allows for stem cell propagation in the absence of these factors. The activity of Pluripotin is mediated by Ras signaling which promotes self-renewal, and inhibition of ERK blocks differentiation.