Transdifferentiation

The term transdifferentiation refers to the conversion of cells belonging to one of the three germ layers of cells of another germ layer.

In the course of differentiation of cells, the gene expression of cells changes dramatically. Many genes are virtually ' off ' (such as DNA methylation or histone deacetylation ). A true transdifferentiation requires, however, that at the same time the expression of thousands of genes is down-regulated again high, and thousands of other genes ( to make about from a muscle cell, a liver cell, the cell must completely different proteins are available).

Such transdifferentiation can occur directly in principle, or followed via the detour of a dedifferentiation of differentiation in a different direction. Currently, it is believed that only stem cells - to be able - to a limited extent.

Human Biology

Notes for transdifferentiation in adult humans result from the disease of Barrett 's esophagus, are converted in the epithelial cells of the esophagus in mucin -secreting intestinal cells. A Barrett 's esophagus predisposes sufferers for adenocarcinomas.