An 18-base myogenetic oligodeoxynucleotide (myoDN), iSN04, acts as an anti-nucleolin aptamer and induces myogenic differentiation of skeletal muscle myoblasts. This study investigated the effect of iSN04 on murine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In the undifferentiated state, iSN04 inhibited the proliferation of ESCs and iPSCs but did not affect the expression of pluripotent markers. In the differentiating condition, iSN04 treatment of ESCs/iPSCs from day 5 onward dramatically induced differentiation into Nkx2-5+ beating cardiomyocytes with upregulation ...