Publication date: Available online 24 October 2026 Source: Experimental Eye Research Author(s): Youhaoran Wu, Mary Flokis, Shahan Soghomonian, Frank J. Lovicu

AbstractBackground and Aims. The master transcription factor NAC SECONDARY WALL THICKENING PROMOTING FACTOR3 (NST3), also known as SND1, plays a pivotal ro

The mechanisms that restrict or enable latent cellular plasticity have attracted growing interest over the past decade, with important implications for cancer and regenerative therapies. However, the diversity of both pro- and anti-plasticity mechanisms remains incompletely understood. Here, we identify the THAP domain gene lin-15A as a novel factor involved in the natural rectal-to-neuronal Y-to-PDA transdifferentiation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our genetic analyses show that lin-15A acts in parallel to previously described plasticity factors. Null mutant suggests that, rather than driving the process, LIN-15A licenses its initiation by antagonizing several chromatin-modifying complexes known to safeguard differentiated cell identities. In addition, our data show that even cells developmentally programmed to undergo transdifferentiation exhibit reprogramming barriers. Interestingly, lin-15A is not a core plasticity factor per se but acts as one specifically in the Y cell context. Tog

Turritopsis dohrnii is a microscopic jellyfish with a diameter of less than 5 mm that is capable of undergoing a unique 'cellular transdifferentiation' process — reversing from an adult medusa stage back to a young polyp stage repeatedly. First discovered in the Tyrrhenian Sea in the early 20th cent

Until recently, mammalian sex differentiation was thought to be finalized in the embryo. Development of the tubular genital tract, external genitalia,…

Turritopsis dohrnii is not just a biological curiosity — it is a quiet challenger to the dogma of death as an absolute fate. This article explores its transdifferentiation mechanism, its accidental discovery history, the divided scientific reactions, and the ethical implications of immortality — wit

ALT: a picture of a jellyfish with the words " i love you infinity " written in red

Spontaneous transdifferentiation of pancreatic glucagon-producing alpha to insulin secreting beta cells has been observed in mouse but not in human islets1. Here, we analyzed the largest single cell d...

The involvement of cell death pathways in the early stage of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) development, especially KRAS-dependent acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), remains to be investigated. Here, the authors find that TAK1 mediates cell survival during ADM transdifferentiation through suppression of apoptosis and necroptosis, which could be targeted for prevention and treatment of PDAC.

Published in Archivum immunologiae et therapiae experimentalis

Lipids contribute significantly to the flavor of cell-cultured fish meat as precursor components of flavor compounds. Here, we initially reported the …