Active tissue-specific DNA demethylation conferred by somatic cell nuclei in stable heterokaryons

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0700181104
• Publication Date: 2007-03-08T04:34:07Z
• Authors: Fan Zhang; Jason H. Pomerantz; George Sen; Adam T. Palermo; Helen M. Blau
• Keywords: Reprogramming; Cell fusion

DNA methylation is among the most stable epigenetic marks, ensuring tissue-specific gene expression in a heritable manner throughout development. Here we report that differentiated mesodermal somatic cells can confer changes on epidermal progenitor after fusion multinucleate heterokaryons. Myogenic factors alter regulatory regions of genes keratinocyte cell nuclei, demethylating and activating muscle-specific methylating silencing keratinocyte-specific gene. Because these occur absence replication or division, they are mediated by an active mechanism. Thus, capacity to transfer other nuclei not limited embryonic stem oocytes but also property highly specialized mammalian cells. These results suggest possibility directing reprogramming readily available postnatal human toward specific tissue types.