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Somatic cell nuclear transfer efficiency: How can it be improved through nuclear remodeling and reprogramming?
Author(s) -
Whitworth Kristin M.,
Prather Randall S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.21242
Subject(s) - reprogramming , somatic cell nuclear transfer , biology , oocyte , somatic cell , microbiology and biotechnology , cloning (programming) , cytoplasm , embryo , totipotent , genetics , cell nucleus , nucleus , embryonic stem cell , cell , embryogenesis , gene , computer science , blastocyst , programming language
Fertile offspring from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is the goal of most cloning laboratories. For this process to be successful, a number of events must occur correctly. First the donor nucleus must be in a state that is amenable to remodeling and subsequent genomic reprogramming. The nucleus must be introduced into an oocyte cytoplasm that is capable of facilitating the nuclear remodeling. The oocyte must then be adequately stimulated to initiate development. Finally the resulting embryo must be cultured in an environment that is compatible with the development of that particular embryo. Much has been learned about the incredible changes that occur to a nucleus after it is placed in the cytoplasm of an oocyte. While we think that we are gaining an understanding of the reorganization that occurs to proteins in the donor nucleus, the process of cloning is still very inefficient. Below we will introduce the procedures for SCNT, discuss nuclear remodeling and reprogramming, and review techniques that may improve reprogramming. Finally we will briefly touch on other aspects of SCNT that may improve the development of cloned embryos. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 77:1001–1015, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.