Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
07:08
Author Spotlight: Reprogramming Cancer Cells to iPSCs to Study Disease Progression and Treatment Targets
Published on: February 2, 2024
1.5K
Epigenetic regulation of somatic cell reprogramming.
Yixuan Wang1, Yan Bi1, Shaorong Gao1
1Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China.
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|August 22, 2017
Summary
Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold promise for disease modeling and therapy. Recent advances reveal epigenetic mechanisms, including histone and DNA modifications, that improve iPSC generation efficiency and quality.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology and regenerative medicine
- Epigenetics and cellular reprogramming
Background:
- Pluripotent stem cells possess self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation capabilities, crucial for disease modeling and therapeutics.
- The development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in 2006 revolutionized stem cell research, enabling in vitro reprogramming and personalized therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review key advancements in understanding the molecular mechanisms of somatic cell reprogramming over the past decade.
- To highlight the role of epigenetic regulation, specifically histone and DNA modifications, in the reprogramming process.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on studies published within the last 10 years.
- Analysis of research detailing epigenetic modifications during induced pluripotent stem cell generation.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular pathways governing somatic cell reprogramming.
- Epigenetic modifications, including histone and DNA alterations, are critical determinants of reprogramming efficiency and the quality of generated iPSCs.
Conclusions:
- Understanding epigenetic regulation is key to optimizing induced pluripotent stem cell generation.
- Continued research into histone and DNA modifications will enhance the potential of iPSCs for clinical applications and disease modeling.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:29Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
2.7K
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...
2.7K
01:32Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells
2.2K
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...
2.2K
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
2.2K
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...
2.2K
01:14Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming
2.3K
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...
2.3K
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
4.0K
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...
4.0K
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
34.0K
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
34.0K