Programming the genome in embryonic and somatic stem cells

摘要: In opposition to terminally differentiated cells, stem cells can self-renew and give rise multiple cell types. Embryonic retain the ability of inner mass blastocysts differentiate into all types body have acquired in culture unlimited self-renewal capacity. Somatic are found many adult tissues, an extensive but finite lifespan a more restricted array A growing evidence indicates that multi-lineage differentiation be defined by potential for expression lineage-specification genes. Gene expression, or as emphasized here, gene is largely controlled epigenetic modifications DNA chromatin on genomic regulatory coding regions. These modulate organization not only specific genes also at level whole nucleus; they affect timing replication. This review highlights how mechanisms which poised transcription undifferentiated being uncovered through primarily mapping methylation, histone factor binding throughout genome. The combinatorial association marks developmentally regulated lineage-specifying seems define pluripotent state.