Transcription factor rational design improves directed differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into skeletal myocytes.

ABSTRACT: There is great interest in transdifferentiating cells from one lineage into those of another and in dedifferentiating mature cells back into a stem/progenitor cell state by deploying naturally occurring transcription factors (TFs). Often, however, steering cellular differentiation pathways in a predictable and efficient manner remains challenging. Here, we investigated the principle of combining domains from different lineage-specific TFs to improve directed cellular differentiation. As proof-of-concept, we engineered the whole-human TF MyoDCD, which has the NH(2)-terminal transcription activation domain (TAD) and adjacent DNA-binding motif of MyoD COOH-terminally fused to the TAD of myocardin (MyoCD). We found via reporter gene and marker protein assays as well as by a cell fusion readout

SUBMITTER: Goncalves MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3129549 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature