Epigenetic Reshaping through Damage: Promoting Cell Fate Transition by BrdU and IdU Incorporation

Thymidine analogs have long been recognized for their ability to randomly incorporate into DNA. However, their significance in the chemical induction of pluripotency (CIP) remains unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of BrdU/IdU incorporation on the transition of cell fate through DNA damage repair (DDR). Our findings reveal a substantial upregulation of reprogramming mediator gene H3K27ac and H3K9ac, as well as global DNA demethylation in response to DDR. This process creates a hypomethylated environment that promotes cell fate transition. We term this mechanism as Epigenetic Reshaping through Damage (ERD). Overall, our study sheds light on the dynamic interplay between thymidine analogs, DDR, and epigenetic modifications, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying cell fate transition.