Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
07:53
Application of RNAi and Heat-shock-induced Transcription Factor Expression to Reprogram Germ Cells to Neurons in C. elegans
Published on: January 1, 2018
Cellular reprogramming--lowering gravity on Waddington's epigenetic landscape.
1Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University 53, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. takahash@cira.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Journal of Cell Science
|June 28, 2012
Summary
Cell fate can be artificially manipulated through reprogramming, blurring cell type boundaries. Recent advances in direct reprogramming show promise for generating diverse cell types from various organs.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- Cell fate determination involves complex programming, including epigenetic modifications.
- Cell fate is further refined through differentiation and senescence.
- Artificial manipulation can influence and alter established cell fates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize current knowledge on cellular reprogramming.
- To highlight recent advances in direct reprogramming techniques.
- To discuss the potential for generating diverse cell types via direct reprogramming.
Main Methods:
- Exogenous expression of transcription factors for cell reprogramming.
- Direct reprogramming of somatic cells without a pluripotent intermediate.
- Review of recent scientific literature on cellular reprogramming.
Main Results:
- Reprogramming factors can alter cell fate, effectively flattening the cellular hierarchy.
- Direct reprogramming has successfully generated various cell types.
- Challenges remain in reprogramming cells for specific organs like kidneys and lungs.
Conclusions:
- Direct reprogramming offers a powerful tool to influence cell fate.
- Advances suggest future success in generating cell types from all organs.
- Further research is needed to identify key determinants for broad direct reprogramming applications.
Related Concept Videos
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...
01:24Methods 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...
01:32Chromatin 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...
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...