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Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming

Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012 for this...

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells

Chromatin modification alters gene expression; therefore, scientists can add histone-modifying enzymes, histone variants, and chromatin remodeling complexes to somatic cells to aid reprogramming into pluripotent stem (iPS) cells.
Compact chromatin makes reprogramming difficult. Enzymes, such as histone demethylases and acetyltransferases, are often added during reprogramming to loosen the chromatin, making the DNA more accessible to transcription factors. Molecules that inhibit histone...

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

Nuclear reprogramming is the process of switching gene expression of one cell type to that of another cell type, usually from a differentiated cell state to an undifferentiated cell state. Differentiation occurs during processes such as development and morphogenesis, tissue regeneration, and malignancy. Cells can also be artificially induced to reprogram their gene expression by techniques such as nuclear transfer, induced pluripotency, and cell fusion. Such techniques have many applications in...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors

In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors

Published on: December 17, 2013

Reprogramming somatic gene activity by fusion with pluripotent cells.

Jeong Tae Do¹, Dong Wook Han, Hans R Schöler

¹Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine, Röntgenstrasse 20, 48149 Münster, Germany.

Stem Cell Reviews

|September 13, 2007

Summary

Cell fusion can reprogram somatic cells into totipotent or pluripotent cells, offering significant potential for biological research and therapeutic applications. This process involves acquiring key features of pluripotent cells, enabling new avenues in regenerative medicine.

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Last Updated: Jul 11, 2026

In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors

In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors

Published on: December 17, 2013

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Reprogramming Human Somatic Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Using Retroviral Vector with GFP

Reprogramming Human Somatic Cells into Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) Using Retroviral Vector with GFP

Published on: April 3, 2012

Area of Science:

Developmental Biology
Stem Cell Biology
Cellular Reprogramming

Background:

Totipotent cells (fertilized eggs, early blastomeres) can form fetuses, while pluripotent cells (embryonic stem, carcinoma, germ cells) can form all cell types of an organism.
Somatic cells can be genetically reprogrammed to a totipotent or pluripotent state via nuclear transfer or cell fusion.
Cell fusion is a powerful method for inducing pluripotency in somatic cells, leading to characteristic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the mechanisms of cell fusion-mediated reprogramming.
To explore the potential therapeutic applications of fusion-induced reprogramming.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on cell fusion and cellular reprogramming.
Analysis of changes in cell morphology, epigenetics, gene expression, and developmental potential post-fusion.

Main Results:

Cell fusion successfully induces pluripotency, characterized by altered morphology, epigenetic state, and gene expression profiles.
Reprogrammed cells exhibit inactivation of somatic cell-specific genes and acquisition of pluripotent cell characteristics.
The developmental and differentiation potential of pluripotent cells is restored in fused cells.

Conclusions:

Cell fusion is an effective method for reprogramming somatic cells to a pluripotent state.
Fusion-induced reprogramming holds promise for advancing biological research and developing novel therapeutic strategies in regenerative medicine.