Cell divisions are not essential for the direct conversion of fibroblasts into neuronal cells

Abstract

Direct lineage conversion is a promising approach for disease modeling and regenerative medicine. Cell divisions play a key role in reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotency, however their role in direct lineage conversion is notclear. Here we used transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into neuronal cells by forced expression of defined transcriptionfactors as a model system to study the role of cellular division in the direct conversion process. We have shown thatconversion occurs in the presence of the cell cycle inhibitors aphidicolin or mimosine. Moreover, overexpression of thecell cycle activator cMyc negatively influences the process of direct conversion. Overall, our results suggest that celldivisions are not essential for the direct conversion of fibroblasts into neuronal cells.