Epigenetics, Enhancer Function and 3D Chromatin Organization in Reprogramming to Pluripotency

Abstract

Genome architecture, epigenetics and enhancer function control the fate and identity of cells. Reprogramming to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) changes the transcriptional profile and chromatin landscape of the starting somatic cell to that of the pluripotent cell in a stepwise manner. Changes in the regulatory networks are tightly regulated during normal embryonic development to determine cell fate, and similarly need to function in cell fate control during reprogramming. Switching off the somatic program and turning on the pluripotent program involves a dynamic reorganization of the epigenetic landscape, enhancer function, chromatin accessibility and 3D chromatin topology. Within this context, we will review here the current knowledge on the processes that control the establishment and maintenance of pluripotency during somatic cell reprogramming.