Genome reprogramming-associated point mutations, frequency and mechanisms

Abstract

There are great expectations for iPS cells as resources for regenerative medicine, and several clinical trials using iPSCs are already underway. However, some critical concerns still remain; genetic aberrations in iPS cells and their derivatives can cause immunogenicity and tumorigenicity. So far, we have focused on the genome instability, especially on point mutations, in reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells, iPSCs and ntESCs. Here we will discuss the genome reprogramming-associated genetic aberrations and the molecular mechanisms behind them, and we also report on an iPS cell system with a remarkable decrease in mutation frequency.