Author Interviews, Stem Cells / 29.05.2014
Improving Transformation of Skin Cells to Nerve Cells Through Phosphorylation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Anna Philpott, Ph.D.
University of Cambridge, Department of Oncology,
Hutchison/MRC Research Centre, Hills Road
Cambridge UK
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Philpott: A group of proteins known as transcription factors that control gene expression regulate production and maturation of nerve cells during embryonic development. Recently, it was found that by adding these proteins to skin cells, they can be reprogrammed to produce nerves, which can then be used to model human conditions such as Parkinsons Disease and Alzheimers. These cells are known as induced neurons, or iN cells. However, this method generates a low number of cells, and those that are produced are not fully functional, which is a requirement in order to be useful models of disease: for example, cortical neurons for stroke, or motor neurons for motor neuron disease. When cells are dividing, we found that transcription factors are modified by the addition of phosphate molecules, a process known as phosphorylation, and this can limit how well cells convert to mature nerves. By engineering proteins that cannot be modified by phosphate and adding them to human cells, we found we could produce nerve cells that were significantly more mature, and therefore more useful as models for disease such as Alzeheimers and Parkinsons.
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