Acquisition of functional neurons by direct conversion: Switching the developmental clock directly

Publication date: Available online 28 October 2019Source: Journal of Genetics and GenomicsAuthor(s): Shuangquan Chen, Juan Zhang, Dongming Zhang, Jianwei JiaoAbstractIdentifying approaches for treating neurodegeneration is a thorny task but is important for a growing number of patients. Researchers have focused on discovering the underlying molecular mechanisms of reprogramming and optimizing the technologies for acquiring neurons. Direct conversion is one of the most important processes for treating neurological disorders. Induced neurons (iNs) derived from direct conversion, which bypass the pluripotency stage, are more effective, more quickly obtained and safer than those produced via induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Based on iPSC strategies, scientists have derived methods to obtain functional neurons by direct conversion, such as neuron-related transcriptional factors (TFs), small molecules, microRNAs, and epigenetic modifiers. In this review, we discuss the present strategies for the direct conversion of somatic cells into functional neurons and the potentials of direct conversion for producing functional neurons and treating neurodegeneration.
Source: Journal of Genetics and Genomics - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research