Generation of diverse neural cell types through direct conversion

Figure 1 Overview of cellular differentiation, direct conversion, and reprogramming. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, and thus capable of differentiating into cells of any lineage. Reprogramming reverses this process, with forced expression of Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc shown to induce pluripotency in fibroblasts, generating induced pluripotent stem cells. Cells are also capable of switching lineages during direct conversion, with forced expression of Brn2, Ascl1, and Myt1l shown to convert fibroblasts into induced neuronal cells.