Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Hemogenic Reprogramming of Human Fibroblasts by Enforced Expression of Transcription Factors
Published on: November 4, 2019
MacroH2A in stem cells: a story beyond gene repression
Catherine Creppe1, Melanija Posavec, Julien Douet
1Institute for Predictive & Personalized Medicine of Cancer (IMPPC), Crta. Can Ruti, Cami de les Escoles, 08916 Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
Abstract:
The importance of epigenetic mechanisms is most clearly illustrated during early development when a totipotent cell goes through multiple cell fate transitions to form the many different cell types and tissues that constitute the embryo and the adult. The exchange of a canonical H2A histone for the 'repressive' macroH2A variant is one of the most striking epigenetic chromatin alterations that can occur at the level of the nucleosome. Here, we discuss recent data on macroH2A in zebrafish and mouse embryos, in embryonic and adult stem cells and also in nuclear reprogramming. We highlight the role of macroH2A in the establishment and maintenance of differentiated states and we discuss its still poorly recognized function in transcriptional activation.
Related Concept Videos
Chromatin Modification in 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...
Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation
Stem Cell Niche
Lineage Commitment

