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Updated: Oct 8, 2025

A Two-Step Strategy that Combines Epigenetic Modification and Biomechanical Cues to Generate Mammalian Pluripotent Cells
Published on: August 29, 2020
Metabolic-Epigenetic Axis in Pluripotent State Transitions
Cristina D'Aniello1, Federica Cermola1, Eduardo J Patriarca1
1Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso", CNR, 80131 Naples, Italy.
Metabolic signals, not just growth factors, drive cell state transitions by altering epigenetic modifications. Fluctuating metabolite levels impact DNA and chromatin, influencing stem cell differentiation and reprogramming.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and Metabolism
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Cell state transition (CST) involves extensive epigenetic remodeling.
- Metabolic signals are increasingly recognized as crucial regulators of CST.
- Epigenetic enzymes are sensitive to metabolite availability, linking metabolism to epigenetic changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how metabolite availability influences DNA/chromatin modifications during pluripotent stem cell (PSC) transitions.
- To investigate the role of metabolites in naïve to primed PSC transition, PSC differentiation, and somatic cell reprogramming to induced PSCs (iPSCs).
Main Methods:
- Review of current studies on metabolite influence on epigenetic modifications.
- Analysis of mechanisms by which metabolites affect epigenetic alterations.
- Examination of the causal correlation between metabolite levels and epigenetic changes.
Main Results:
- Metabolite availability significantly impacts DNA and chromatin modifications during PSC transitions.
- Specific metabolites influence key processes like naïve to primed transition, differentiation, and iPSC reprogramming.
- Metabolic fluctuations can directly induce epigenetic alterations associated with CST.
Conclusions:
- Metabolic signals play a critical role in regulating cell state transitions through epigenetic mechanisms.
- Understanding the interplay between metabolites and epigenetics is essential for controlling stem cell fate and reprogramming.
- Targeting metabolic pathways could offer novel strategies for regenerative medicine and disease treatment.
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