Genome-wide analysis of novel molecular mechanism of direct reprogramming from retinal stem cell to pancreatic cell

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24710221
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Medical genome science
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: HOZUMI Shunya 広島大学, 理学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (10597222)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 分化転換 / 神経細胞 / 内胚葉 / 中胚葉 / 遺伝子発現 / Notch / エピジェネティクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It is well known that three primary germ layer cells, known as ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, are differentiated from pluripotent stem cells in vertebrates through the induction of cell lineage specific gene expression. Although it was thought that the linage-specified differentiated cells are very stable, recent studies revealed that the differentiated cells could be reprogrammed by overexpression of germ layer specific transcription factors, called direct reprogramming, which changes the profiles of gene expression. However, it is still difficult to convert one germ layer cells into another germ layer fate. In this study, I found that inhibition of Notch signaling ectopically induces expression of mesodermal and endodermal genes, such as pancreatic genes, in zebrafish central nervous system. These results will help to promote the direct conversion technology in regenerative medicine.

Free Research Field

発生生物学、細胞生物学