Epigenetic memory in somatic cell nuclear transfer and induced pluripotency: evidence and implications

Jaber Firas; Xiaodong Liu; Jose M Polo

doi:10.1016/j.diff.2014.09.001

Epigenetic memory in somatic cell nuclear transfer and induced pluripotency: evidence and implications

Differentiation. 2014 Jul;88(1):29-32. doi: 10.1016/j.diff.2014.09.001. Epub 2014 Oct 1.

Authors

Jaber Firas¹, Xiaodong Liu¹, Jose M Polo²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
² Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia. Electronic address: jose.polo@monash.edu.

PMID: 25281282
DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2014.09.001

Abstract

Six decades ago, seminal work conducted by John Gurdon on genome conservation resulted in major advancements towards nuclear reprogramming technologies such as somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), cell fusion and transcription factor mediated reprogramming. This revolutionized our views regarding cell fate conversion and development. These technologies also shed light on the role of the epigenome in cellular identity, and how the memory of the cell of origin affects the reprogrammed cell. This review will discuss recent work on epigenetic memory retained in pluripotent cells derived by SCNT and transcription factor mediated reprogramming, and the challenges attached to it.

Keywords: Cloning; Embryonic stem cells; Epigenetic memory; Induced pluripotent stem cells; Nuclear reprogramming; Somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cellular Reprogramming
Epigenesis, Genetic*
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology*
Nuclear Transfer Techniques*