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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.

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...

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 19, 2026

Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Published on: April 26, 2018

Incomplete methylation reprogramming in SCNT embryos.

Julian R Peat¹, Wolf Reik

¹Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK.

Nature Genetics

|August 31, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) cloning shows incomplete epigenetic reprogramming. DNA demethylation fails in SCNT embryos, leading to aberrant methylation and potential developmental issues in cloned animals.

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Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

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Published on: November 27, 2017

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Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Combinational Treatment of Trichostatin A and Vitamin C Improves the Efficiency of Cloning Mice by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer

Published on: April 26, 2018

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions

Published on: November 27, 2017

Area of Science:

Reproductive biology
Epigenetics
Developmental biology

Background:

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) allows for the cloning of mammals, as demonstrated by Dolly the sheep.
SCNT-derived embryos have low success rates for live births, often attributed to epigenetic defects.
Epigenetic reprogramming by the oocyte is crucial for early embryonic development.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos.
To compare DNA methylation patterns in SCNT embryos with those in naturally fertilized embryos.
To identify potential epigenetic causes for developmental failure in SCNT embryos.

Main Methods:

Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of SCNT embryos.
Comparison of methylation profiles with in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos.
Analysis of methylation at specific genomic regions, including promoters and repetitive elements.

Main Results:

Epigenetic reprogramming in SCNT embryos does not fully replicate natural DNA demethylation events seen after fertilization.
Aberrant DNA methylation patterns were observed at numerous promoters and repetitive elements in SCNT embryos.
These methylation defects correlate with potential contributors to developmental failure in cloned embryos.

Conclusions:

The study reveals incomplete epigenetic reprogramming as a significant barrier in SCNT.
Aberrant methylation in SCNT embryos may underlie the low efficiency of cloning.
Further research into improving epigenetic reprogramming is needed for successful SCNT applications.