MUTANT SOX PROTEINS AND METHODS OF INDUCING PLURIPOTENCY

摘要

There is presently provided mutant Sox2, Sox7 and Sox17 proteins that have acquired or increased ability to induce pluripotency in a partially differentiated or fully differentiated cell. Sox7 and Sox17 are mutated to resemble in part Sox2, or Sox2 is mutated to resemble in part Sox7 or Sox17. In one aspect, the Oct4 contact interface of Sox7 or Sox17 is mutated. In another aspect, the high mobility group (HMG) of Sox2 is fused to the C-terminal activation domain of Sox7 or Sox17. Methods relating to inducing pluripotency using a mutant Sox2, Sox7 or Sox17 protein are also provided.