Phases of reprogramming

Laurent David1, Jose M Polo2

  • 1INSERM, UMR 1064, Nantes, France; Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, France; iPSC Facility, SFR F. Bonamy, Université de Nantes, France.

Stem Cell Research
|April 17, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Somatic cell reprogramming, once random, is now understood to involve defined, sequential cellular and molecular events. This review integrates studies on the mechanisms of nuclear reprogramming.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular reprogramming
  • Molecular biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Somatic cell reprogramming has advanced significantly.
  • The underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood.
  • Early views considered reprogramming a random process.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review key cellular and molecular events in reprogramming.
  • To provide an integrated view of reprogramming mechanisms.
  • To highlight the defined nature of the reprogramming process.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of somatic cell reprogramming studies.
  • Analysis of cellular events during reprogramming.
  • Integration of molecular findings related to nuclear reprogramming.

Main Results:

  • Reprogramming involves key sequential cellular events.
  • Molecular mechanisms are increasingly defined and controlled.
  • The process is not entirely random as previously thought.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding of somatic cell reprogramming mechanisms is emerging.
  • Key sequential events characterize the reprogramming process.
  • Reprogramming is a more controlled and predictable process than previously assumed.

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