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Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming01:14

Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming

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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...
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Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming01:24

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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...
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Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming01:29

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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...
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Forced Transdifferentiation01:28

Forced Transdifferentiation

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Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial...
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Gene Conversion02:08

Gene Conversion

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Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
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Chromatin Modification in iPS Cells01:32

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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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Cell reprogramming: Nature does it too.

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This summary is machine-generated.

Cell reprogramming, typically artificial, occurs naturally in developing fish retinas. This discovery reveals a novel mechanism driving cell diversity during development.

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In vivo Reprogramming of Adult Somatic Cells to Pluripotency by Overexpression of Yamanaka Factors
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Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Cell biology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Cell reprogramming is widely understood as an externally induced process.
  • The mechanisms underlying natural cell fate changes in vivo are not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether cell reprogramming can occur naturally in a developing vertebrate system.
  • To identify the molecular mechanisms driving natural cell reprogramming and its role in generating cellular diversity.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized live imaging and genetic tracing in zebrafish (Danio rerio) to track cell behavior in the developing retina.
  • Employed single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze transcriptional changes during reprogramming events.
  • Performed functional experiments to assess the necessity of identified genes in the reprogramming process.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated spontaneous reprogramming of post-mitotic cells in the developing fish retina.
  • Identified a specific cohort of transcription factors and signaling pathways involved in this natural reprogramming.
  • Showcased that these reprogrammed cells contribute to the generation of diverse retinal cell types.

Conclusions:

  • Natural cell reprogramming is a viable biological process, not solely an artificial induction.
  • This study uncovers a novel endogenous mechanism for generating cell diversity in the vertebrate retina.
  • Findings provide new insights into developmental plasticity and potential therapeutic strategies for retinal regeneration.