Transdifferentiati on: a cel l and molecular reprogramming process

Abstract

Evidence has emerged recently indicating that<br><br>differentiation is not entirely a one-way process, and that it<br><br>is possi ble to convert one cell type to ano ther, both in vitro<br><br>and in vivo. This phenomenon is called trans different iation,<br><br>and is generally defin ed as the stable switch of one cell type<br><br>to an other. Tra nsdifferen tiatio n plays crit ical roles d uring<br><br>development and in regeneration pathways in nature.<br><br>Althoug h this phenom enon occurs rarely in na ture, recent<br><br>studies have bee n focuse d on trans different iation and the<br><br>reprogramming ability of cells to produce specific cells with<br><br>ne w p he no typ es f or us e in ce ll t he rap y an d re gen er ativ e<br><br>medic ine. Thus, unders tanding the p rinciples and the mech-anism of this proces s is importan t for produci ng desired cell types . Here some well-docume nted examp les of trans differ-entiation, and their significance in development and regener-ation are reviewed. In addition, transdifferentiation pathways<br><br>are con sidered and their potential mol ecular mecha nisms, especially the role of master switch genes, are considered.<br><br>Finally, the significance of transdifferentiation in regenerative medicine is discussed.