Induction of pluripotent stem cells by defined factors is greatly improved by small-molecule compounds

Danwei Huangfu, René Maehr, Wenjun Guo, Astrid Eijkelenboom, Melinda Snitow, Alice E. Chen, Douglas A. Melton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1360 Scopus citations

Abstract

Reprogramming of mouse and human somatic cells can be achieved by ectopic expression of transcription factors, but with low efficiencies. We report that DNA methyltransferase and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors improve reprogramming efficiency. In particular, valproic acid (VPA), an HDAC inhibitor, improves reprogramming efficiency by more than 100-fold, using Oct4-GFP as a reporter. VPA also enables efficient induction of pluripotent stem cells without introduction of the oncogene c-Myc.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)795-797
Number of pages3
JournalNature biotechnology
Volume26
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2008
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Biotechnology
  • Biomedical Engineering

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