Reprogramming to a muscle fate by fusion recapitulates differentiation

• DOI: 10.1242/jcs.041376
• Publication Date: 2009-03-18T17:53:09Z
• Authors: Jason H. Pomerantz; Semanti Mukherjee; Adam T. Palermo; Helen M. Blau
• Keywords: Reprogramming; Cell fusion; Heterokaryon

Fusion of mammalian cells to form stable, non-dividing heterokaryons results in nuclear reprogramming without the exchange genetic material. In this report, we show that somatic cell involves activation canonical skeletal muscle transcription factors as well contraction-excitation genes. Thus, effect heterokaryon formation on gene expression is induce a recapitulation differentiation. Heterokaryons formed with relatively refractory type, hepatocyte line HepG2, revealed importance both MyoD and other unidentified cytoplasmic components, neither which are sufficient for efficient activation, but synergistic. We provide evidence de-repression by transient histone deacetylase inhibition can increase extent efficiency transcription. Taken together, suggest understanding mechanistic basis, using combination approaches, taking into account history, will facilitate an fidelity conversion from one differentiated phenotype another desired type. Inherent advantages system merit further investigation pursuit directed cloning.