Related Concept Videos
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Forced Transdifferentiation
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Cellular Differentiation
A zygote is a...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Somatic cells are...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
You might also read
Related Articles
Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.
Derivation of novel genetically diverse human embryonic stem cell lines.
Initial differentiation of blastomeres in 4-cell human embryos and its significance for early embryogenesis and implantation.
Nuclear reprogramming of human somatic cells by xenopus egg extract requires BRG1.
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Cell Surface Marker Mediated Purification of iPS Cell Intermediates from a Reprogrammable Mouse Model
Published on: September 6, 2014
Totipotency, cell differentiation and reprogramming in humans.
1Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, 1240 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. ChrHansis@aol.com
Early human embryo studies reveal blastomeres exhibit distinct potencies by the 4-cell stage, acting as lineage-specific stem cells. Reprogramming differentiated cells with Xenopus egg extract identified BRG1 as crucial for nuclear reprogramming.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Understanding human totipotency and cell differentiation is key to advancing reprogramming knowledge.
- Early human embryos offer insights into totipotency and initial differentiation stages.
- Differentiated human cells serve as models for studying nuclear reprogramming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying human totipotency and cell differentiation.
- To explore the potential of early human embryos and differentiated cells in reprogramming research.
- To identify factors involved in nuclear reprogramming of human cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of marker genes (e.g., Oct-4, -HCG) in early human embryos.
- Reprogramming of human 293T kidney cells and primary leukocytes using Xenopus laevis egg extract.
- Molecular screens to identify key factors in the reprogramming process.
Main Results:
- Blastomeres at the 4-cell stage show differing potencies, potentially acting as lineage-specific stem cells.
- Xenopus laevis egg extract successfully reprogrammed differentiated human cells towards an undifferentiated state.
- The chromatin-remodeling ATPase BRG1 was identified as essential for this reprogramming.
Conclusions:
- Early human embryos provide a model for studying the initial steps of cell differentiation and potency.
- Nuclear reprogramming of differentiated human cells is achievable and involves specific molecular factors like BRG1.
- These findings could lead to improved reprogramming protocols for generating human cells for clinical applications.
