Fig. 1From: Reprogramming barriers and enhancers: strategies to enhance the efficiency and kinetics of induced pluripotencyThe proposed mechanism by which the Mbd3/NuRD complex acts as a reprogramming barrier. a During reprogramming, OSKM proteins bind to the MBD domain of Mbd3 and other repressive complexes (?). These interactions lead to inhibition of the expression of pluripotency-related genes and reduction of reprogramming efficiency. b Upon Mbd3 depletion, reprogramming factors are recruited into downstream targets (e.g., pluripotency-related genes) to enhance gene expression. This leads to highly efficient reprogramming to pluripotency. Additionally, WDR5 and UTX are essential in reprogramming of Mbd3-depleted MEFs. It has been indicated that Mbd3 is downregulated during early pre-implantation mouse development and upregulated in the inner cell mass (ICM) and restricts aberrant specification into the trophoblast lineage [9]Back to article page