Question

Based on what you know about muscle differentiation (see Figure 18.18) and genetic engineering, propose the first experiment you might try if you wanted to direct an embryonic stem cell or iPS cell to develop into a muscle cell.

Short answer

The master regulatory gene codes for the MyoD protein, which incorporates into the stem cells, can develop into muscle cells.

Step-by-step solution

Description of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells

Stem cells are the continuously dividing cells that can be differentiated into mature cells. These cells are found in the embryo of the embryonic stem cells.

The regeneration capacity of stem cells is utilized in scientific research to produce different types of body cells. The blood cells or skin cells are cells in which the embryonic property is revived, known as induced stem cells.

Muscle differentiation

The embryonic stem cells possess the property of pluripotency, which allows them to get differentiated into muscle cells. Stem cells present in the mesodermal layer of an embryo take place in the process of myogenesis.

The activation of myoprotein-specific transcription factors leads to the formation of myoprotein, which in turn leads to the formation of the myoblasts or muscle cells.

Genetic engineering application of the MyoD gene expression 

The protein responsible for the differentiation of muscle cells is the MyoD protein. The MyoD protein can be introduced into the stem cells to differentiate them into muscle cells.

Alternatively, the MyoD gene can be inserted into the stem cell through an expression vector. As a result, the MyoD gene gets expressed in the stem cells for muscle differentiation.