Reprogramming in nuclear transfer.
Reprogramming a nucleus by transferring it to oocyte cytoplasm triggers epigenetic changes that eventually lead to the restoration of a totipotent state and the birth of a viable animal. A simplified way of studying this complex process is to study cell hybrids. These studies suggest that the pluripotent character of one nucleus is dominant over that of the other nucleus. The development of nuclear transfer embryos shows that there are several restriction points and that the extra-embryonic lineages may be the primary source of death. Successful reprogramming depends on the balance between epigenetic modifications and the regulative properties of development.
Jouneau
Alice
A
Unité Mixte de Recherche, Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Bât 440, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France. jouneau@jouy.inra.fr
Renard
Jean-Paul
JP
D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D019976:Cloning, Organism; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000502:physiology; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology; D053652:Nuclear Transfer Techniques