Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
09:52
Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
Published on: April 26, 2018
Epigenetic reprogramming in embryonic and foetal development upon somatic cell nuclear transfer cloning
Heiner Niemann1, X Cindy Tian, W Allan King
1Department of Biotechnology, Institute for Animal Breeding (FAL), Mariensee, Hoeltystr. 10, 31535 Neustadt, Germany . niemann@tzv.fal.de
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|February 2, 2008
Summary
Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in ruminants often causes developmental issues due to incomplete epigenetic reprogramming. Understanding reprogramming mechanisms like DNA methylation is key to improving cloning success for research and applications.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- The cloning of Dolly from an adult somatic cell spurred research into somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technology.
- SCNT in ruminants is often linked to fetal and placental abnormalities, impacting development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on epigenetic reprogramming of the transferred somatic cell nucleus in bovine development.
- To discuss potential improvements and applications of SCNT technology.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on epigenetic reprogramming in SCNT.
- Emphasis on DNA methylation, imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, and telomere length restoration.
- Brief discussion of alternative reprogramming methods like cell fusion and gene overexpression.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic reprogramming, erasing donor cell gene expression and establishing embryonic gene expression, is critical for SCNT success.
- Specific epigenetic factors reviewed include DNA methylation, imprinting, X-chromosome inactivation, and telomere length.
- Alternative reprogramming strategies show promise for enhancing SCNT efficiency.
Conclusions:
- A deeper understanding of epigenetic reprogramming is essential for advancing SCNT.
- Improved SCNT holds significant potential for basic research, agriculture, and biomedical applications.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Methods 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.
01:14Introduction 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...
01:29Somatic 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...
01:27Reproductive Cloning
Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
01:27Reproductive Cloning
Reproductive cloning is the process of producing a genetically identical copy—a clone—of an entire organism. While clones can be produced by splitting an early embryo—similar to what happens naturally with identical twins—cloning of adult animals is usually done by a process called somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT).
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer
In SCNT, an egg cell is taken from an animal and its nucleus is removed, creating an enucleated egg. Then a somatic cell—any cell that is not a sex...
01:32Chromatin 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...
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...