Genomic Adaptability in Somatic Cell Specialization

1 · Introduction: Early Development and Cell Commitment.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Genome during Development.- 3. Regulation of Early Development and Cell Specialization.- 4. Specification and Stability of Cell Lineages in Early Embryogenesis.- 5. Changes or Modulations of Cell Phenotype in Determined and Differentiated Cells.- 6. Molecular Mechanisms of Gene Regulation and Heritability of the Determined or Differentiated State.- References.- 2 · DNA Gains, Losses, and Rearrangements in Eukaryotes.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Gain of DNA Sequences.- 3. Rearrangement of DNA Sequences.- 4. Loss of DNA Sequences.- 5. The Ciliate Genome.- 6. Conclusions.- References.- 3 · Fate and Nuclear Localization of Germinal Vesicle Proteins during Embryogenesis.- 1. Oogenesis.- 2. Oocyte Maturation.- 3. Fate of Oocyte Nuclear Proteins after Fertilization.- 4. Nuclear Differentiation during Organogenesis.- 5. Summary and Prospects.- References.- 4 · Genomic Imprinting in the Mouse.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Nuclear Totipotency.- 3. Development of Eggs with Only Maternal Genomes.- 4. Development of Eggs with Only Paternal Genomes.- 5. Is the Parental Origin of Early Embryonic Nuclei Remembered?.- 6. Embryo Reconstruction.- 7. Chromosomal Imprinting.- 8. Probing Imprinted Domains.- 9. Conclusions.- References.- 5 · Phenotypic Changes in Cell Culture.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Modulative Shifts in Phenotype.- 3. Stable Changes in Gene Expression.- 4. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 6 · Developmental Regulation of the Heat-Shock Response.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Heat-Shock Response.- 3. Developmental Regulation.- 4. Conclusions.- References.- 7 · Transdifferentiation in Animals: A Model for Differentiation Control.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Primary Transdifferentiation.- 3. Secondary Transdifferentiation.- 4. Tertiary Transdifferentiation.- 5. Possible Mechanisms in Transdifferentiation.- References.- 8 · Genomic Activation in Differentiated Somatic Cells.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Nuclear Transfers from Differentiated Somatic Tissues.- 3. Nuclear Transfers from Germ Cells.- 4. Imprinting of the Genome.- 5. Reversal of Genomic Imprinting.- 6. Mechanisms of Genomic Activation.- 7. Conclusions and Perspectives.- References.- 9 · Neoplastic Cells: Modulation of the Differentiated State.- 1. Introduction: The Concept of Cancer Cell Differentiation.- 2. Cancer and Stem Cells.- 3. Neoplasms That Differentiate.- 4. Cancer Cell Differentiation: A Brief Chronicle.- 5. Control of Differentiation of Embryo Cells and Cancer Cells: Are There Commonalities?.- References.