Authors:
Julia Ladewig, Jerome Mertens, Jaideep Kesavan, Jonas Doerr, Daniel Poppe, Finnja Glaue, Stefan Herms, Peter Wernet, Gesine Kögler, Franz-Josef Müller, Philipp Koch, & Oliver Brüstle
Summary:
Forced expression of proneural transcription factors has been shown to direct neuronal conversion of fibroblasts. Because neurons are postmitotic, conversion efficiencies are an important parameter for this process. We present a minimalist approach combining two-factor neuronal programming with small molecule–based inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β and SMAD signaling, which converts postnatal human fibroblasts into functional neuron-like cells with yields up to >200% and neuronal purities up to >80%.
Source:
Nature Methods; 9, 575-578 (04/08/12)