Open AccessThe molecular basis of transdifferentiation
Author(s) -
Li WanChun,
Yu WeiYuan,
Quinlan Jonathan M.,
Burke Zoë D.,
Tosh David
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2005.tb00489.x
Subject(s) - transdifferentiation , reprogramming , phenotype , biology , cellular differentiation , computational biology , stem cell , transcription factor , cell type , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , bioinformatics , genetics , gene
There is now excellent experimental evidence demonstrating the remarkable ability of some differentiated cells to convert to a completely different phenotype. The conversion of one cellular phenotype to another is referred to as ‘transdifferentiation’ and belongs to a wider class of cell‐type switches termed ‘metaplasias’. Defining the molecular steps in transdifferentiation will help us to understand the developmental biology of the cells that interconvert, as well as help identify key regulatory transcription factors that may be important for the reprogramming of stem cells. Ultimately, being able to produce cells at will offers a compelling new approach to therapeutic transplantation and therefore the treatment and cure of diseases such as diabetes.