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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.
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Master Transcription Regulators

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon in which a single gene impacts multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits. For example, defects in the SOX10 gene cause Waardenburg Syndrome Type 4, or WS4, which can cause defects in pigmentation, hearing impairments, and an absence of intestinal contractions necessary for elimination. This diversity of phenotypes results from the expression pattern of SOX10 in early embryonic and fetal development. SOX10 is found in neural crest cells that form melanocytes,...

Combinatorial Gene Control

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

An Optimized Protocol for Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay Using Infrared Fluorescent Dye-labeled Oligonucleotides

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Sox2 Level Is a Determinant of Cellular Reprogramming Potential.

Dong Wook Han¹, Natalia Tapia, Marcos J Araúzo-Bravo

¹Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea ; Institute of Functional Genomics, Konkuk University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

|July 5, 2013

Summary

Epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) show lower reprogramming potential than embryonic stem cells (ESCs). This is linked to lower Sox2 levels, which can be enhanced to improve reprogramming efficiency in stem cell research.

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Last Updated: May 10, 2026

An Optimized Protocol for Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay Using Infrared Fluorescent Dye-labeled Oligonucleotides

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Published on: November 29, 2016

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Published on: July 30, 2016

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal

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Published on: May 30, 2012

Area of Science:

Stem cell biology
Developmental biology
Cellular reprogramming

Background:

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) exhibit distinct in vivo differentiation potentials.
ESCs efficiently contribute to chimera development, while EpiSCs rarely do.
The reprogramming potential of EpiSCs remains largely uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate and compare the reprogramming potential of EpiSCs and ESCs.
To identify factors contributing to differences in reprogramming efficiency.
To explore the role of Sox2 in cellular reprogramming.

Main Methods:

Comparison of reprogramming efficiency between EpiSCs, P19 embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs), ESCs, and F9 ECCs.
Quantification of Sox2 levels in different stem cell types.
Overexpression of Sox2 to assess its impact on reprogramming.

Main Results:

EpiSCs and P19 ECCs demonstrated lower reprogramming potential compared to ESCs and F9 ECCs.
Lower levels of Sox2 were identified as a key factor in the reduced reprogramming ability of epiblast-derived stem cells.
Overexpression of Sox2 significantly enhanced the reprogramming efficiency.

Conclusions:

A low reprogramming potential appears to be a characteristic feature of epiblast-derived stem cells.
Sox2 levels are a critical determinant of cellular reprogramming potential.
These findings offer insights into stem cell plasticity and reprogramming mechanisms.