Open AccessConcise Review: The Involvement of SOX2 in Direct Reprogramming of Induced Neural Stem/Precursor Cells
Author(s) -
Maucksch Christof,
Jones Kathryn S.,
Connor Bronwen
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
stem cells translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.781
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 2157-6580
pISSN - 2157-6564
DOI - 10.5966/sctm.2012-0179
Subject(s) - reprogramming , sox2 , induced pluripotent stem cell , klf4 , biology , somatic cell , neural stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , embryonic stem cell , precursor cell , induced stem cells , ectopic expression , cellular differentiation , cell , genetics , cell culture , gene
Several studies have demonstrated direct reprogramming of mouse and human fibroblasts into immature neural stem or precursor cells, either by transient expression of pluripotency genes or by application of different combinations of neural transcription factors. Interestingly, in all of these studies SOX2 was introduced alone or in combination with other transcription factors. This review discusses the different combinations of ectopic transcription factors used to generate neural stem/precursor cells from somatic cells, with particular emphasis on SOX2 and its potential to act as a master regulator for reprogramming to a neural precursor state.