Open AccessCell fate switch：Lineage reprogramming
Author(s) -
Hongyan Sun,
Wei Feng,
Wenhong Cao
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
yichuan
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0253-9772
DOI - 10.3724/sp.j.1005.2012.00985
Subject(s) - reprogramming , somatic cell , induced pluripotent stem cell , regenerative medicine , biology , lineage (genetic) , microbiology and biotechnology , cell fate determination , somatic cell nuclear transfer , transcription factor , stem cell , progenitor cell , cell , genetics , gene , embryonic stem cell , embryo , embryogenesis , blastocyst
It has been demonstrated that mature cells could switch their fate by the technologies for reprogramming, such as somatic cell nuclear transfer and induced pluripotent stem cells. Recently, this conclusion was further confirmed. It was found that mature differentiated cells could be directly converted into other somatic cells or progenitors with some defined transcription factors. This technology is called lineage reprogramming, which provides an attractive novel alternative to regenerative medicine and animal biotechnology. It is a more convenient and more effective system with less ethical issues. Moreover, lineage reprogramming technology could also facilitate researches on regulation of gene expression. This review highlights the procedures of reprogramming, its characteristics, and significant promise in biomedical applications.