Directing reprogramming to pluripotency by transcription factors

The pluripotent state is governed by specifically expressed transcription factors forming a highly interconnected regulatory network in concert with more widely expressed transcription factors. The transcriptional network exhibits a hierarchical structure, with a small number of transcription factors playing an essential role in maintaining pluripotency and controlling the more numerous auxiliary transcription factors. When the set of master transcription factors comprising Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and Myc is expressed ectopically in somatic cells, the transcriptional network is propelled to organize itself in such a way as to support a pluripotent state. These transcription factors play distinct but interdependent roles in remodeling gene expression by influencing the local chromatin status during reprogramming.