FIGURE 1.

Defined transcription factors regulate cellular differentiation. Cellular differentiation is strictly regulated by defined transcription factors. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiate into adipocytes, skeletal muscle cells, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes. Adipocyte differentiation is directly regulated by the transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer binding protein‐α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ), the latter of which controls the expression of various adipocyte‐specific genes that leads to terminal adipocyte differentiation. Skeletal muscle cell differentiation is regulated by MyoD and myogenin, osteoblast differentiation by Runx2 and Osterix, and chondrocyte differentiation by Sox9