human Krueppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) Adenovirus

Klf4 of the Klf family of genes was initially identified by Yamanaka and confirmed by Jaenisch as a factor for the generation of mouse iPS cells and was demonstrated by Yamanaka as a factor for generation of human iPS cells. However, it was recently reported that Klf4 was unnecessary for generation of human iPS cells. Klf2 and Klf4 were found to be factors capable of generating iPS cells, and related genes Klf1 and Klf5 did as well, although with reduced efficiency.

Co-expression of Oct4, Sox2, KLF4 and c-Myc (Yamanaka set) in somatic cell will lead to iPSC reprogramming. Using adenovirus to deliver these transcription factors has 2 main advantages - it does not incorporate into the targeted host and therefore avoids the potential for insertional mutagenesis, and the expression is transient for a brief amount of time in order for effective reprogramming to take place.

This adenovirus expresses human KLF4, and it can be used in combination with other iPSC factor for the induction of iPSC reprogramming.