Transcriptional Control of Somatic Cell Reprogramming

Abstract

Somatic cells and pluripotent cells display remarkable differences in most aspects of cell function. Accordingly, somatic cell reprogramming by exogenous factors requires comprehensive changes in gene transcription to induce a forced pluripotent state, which is encompassed by a simultaneous transformation of the epigenome. Nevertheless, how the reprogramming factors and other endogenous regulators coordinate to suppress the somatic cell gene program and activate the pluripotency gene network, and why the conversion is multi-phased and lengthy, remain enigmatic. We summarize the current knowledge of transcriptional regulation in somatic cell reprogramming, and highlight new perspectives that may help to reshape existing paradigms.

Keywords: epigenetic remodeling; genome architecture; pioneer transcription factors; somatic cell reprogramming; transcriptional regulation.