Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2025

A Two-Step Strategy that Combines Epigenetic Modification and Biomechanical Cues to Generate Mammalian Pluripotent Cells
Published on: August 29, 2020
Epigenetic reshaping through damage: promoting cell fate transition by BrdU and IdU incorporation
Chuang Li1,2,3, Xiaoduo Xu1,2,3, Shuyan Chen2,3,4
1School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
Background:
Thymidine analogs have long been recognized for their ability to randomly incorporate into DNA. However, the precise mechanisms through which thymidine analogs facilitate cell fate transition remains unclear.
Results:
Here, we discovered a strong correlation between the dosage dependence of thymidine analogs and their ability to overcome reprogramming barrier. The extraembryonic endoderm (XEN) state seems to be a cell's selective response to DNA damage repair (DDR), offering a shortcut to overcome reprogramming barriers. Meanwhile, we found that homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway causes an overall epigenetic reshaping of cells and enabling them to overcome greater barriers. This response leads to the creation of a hypomethylated environment, which facilitates the transition of cell fate in various reprogramming systems. We term this mechanism as Epigenetic Reshaping through Damage (ERD).
Conclusion:
Overall, our study finds that BrdU/IdU can activate the DNA damage repair pathway (HRR), leading to increased histone acetylation and genome-wide DNA demethylation, regulating somatic cell reprogramming. This offers valuable insights into mechanisms underlying cell fate transition.
More Related Videos
09:51Assessing Cell Cycle Progression of Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells in the Mouse Developing Brain after Genotoxic Stress
Published on: May 7, 2014
06:44Assessment of Global DNA Double-Strand End Resection using BrdU-DNA Labeling coupled with Cell Cycle Discrimination Imaging
Published on: April 28, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Chromatin Modification in 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...
Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Introduction to Nuclear Reprogramming
Maintenance of the ES Cell State
Genomic Imprinting and Inheritance
The expression of some genes depends on which parent passed the gene to the offspring, through a phenomenon known as...