How cells dedifferentiate: a lesson from plants

The remarkable regenerative capacity displayed by plants and various vertebrates, such as amphibians, is largely based on the capability of somatic cells to undergo dedifferentiation. In this process, mature cells reverse their state of differentiation and acquire pluripotentiality-a process preceding not only reentry into the cell cycle but also a commitment for cell death or trans- or redifferentiation. Recent studies provide a new perspective on cellular dedifferentiation, establishing chromatin reorganization as its fundamental theme. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.