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Related Concept Videos

Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

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 Reprogramming01:14

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...
Reproductive Cloning01:27

Reproductive 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 to iPS Cell Reprogramming01:29

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...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Tissue Transplantation01:24

Tissue Transplantation

Tissue transplantation is a significant medical procedure involving the transfer of cells, tissues, or organs from a donor to a recipient, with the primary aim of restoring lost functions. This procedure is crucial in treating a broad spectrum of diseases, including kidney diseases, liver failure, heart disease, and certain types of cancers.
The Biology of Tissue Transplantation
The biology of tissue transplantation hinges on the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules. These molecules...

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A Simple Microaspiration Technique for Isolating Somatic Cells from Cryopreserved Equine Semen as Nuclear Donors for Cloning
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Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer: advancements and problems.

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  • 11 Avantea, Laboratorio di Tecnologie della Riproduzione , Cremona, 26100, Italy .

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Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) pioneered livestock breeding and cellular reprogramming. Interspecies SCNT faces challenges due to nucleus-cytoplasmic incompatibility, hindering cloning and stem cell derivation in distant species.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Cellular reprogramming

Background:

  • Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) was pioneered by embryologists in livestock for breeding purposes.
  • The success of SCNT, exemplified by the Dolly experiment, significantly advanced cellular reprogramming and the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
  • The potential of oocytes for cloning endangered species and interspecies SCNT (iSCNT) was recognized, utilizing readily available livestock oocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the application of iSCNT for cloning endangered species and reprogramming genomes of unrelated species.
  • To investigate the limitations and cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying the failure of iSCNT in taxonomically distant species.
  • To assess the potential of iSCNT for deriving embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines for regenerative medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) using oocytes from livestock species.
  • Interspecies SCNT (iSCNT) experiments involving taxonomically distant species.
  • Analysis of cellular and molecular reprogramming events, including nucleoli organization, gene silencing, embryonic genome activation, and mitochondrial function.

Main Results:

  • iSCNT for cloning animals is successful primarily between interbreeding species.
  • Experiments with taxonomically distant species have not resulted in live births or successful derivation of embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines.
  • Reprogramming failures in iSCNT include incomplete nucleoli organization, failure to silence somatic genes, delayed embryonic genome activation, and impaired mitochondrial replication.

Conclusions:

  • Nucleus-cytoplasmic incompatibility is a significant barrier in iSCNT, particularly between distant species.
  • Current iSCNT techniques are insufficient for cloning animals or deriving ESCs from taxonomically distant species for regenerative medicine.
  • Further research is needed to understand and overcome the molecular mechanisms limiting successful nuclear reprogramming in iSCNT.