Cell differentiation is the process whereby cells acquire specialized functions and characteristics and is regulated by a complex interplay of proteins. These various proteins orchestrate the activation and repression of specific genes, modulate signalling pathways, and promote molecular and cellular interactions that drive cell fate and differentiation. Amongst the most important regulators of cell differentiation are transcription factors that bind to specific DNA sequences and control the activation or repression of target genes involved in cell fate determination and differentiation. Examples include: 1) MyoD, a transcription factor that plays a key role in muscle cell differentiation. It activates the expression of muscle-specific genes, leading to the formation of muscle fibres; 2) GATA family transcription factors involved in various cell differentiation processes, including haematopoiesis (e.g., GATA-1 in erythropoiesis) and cardiac development (e.g., GATA-4). Other examples of transcription factors involved in very early development and differentiation include Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog transcription factors that are known to be critical for maintaining pluripotency in embryonic stem cells with their downregulation associated with cell lineage commitment. Aside from direct transcriptional control of gene expression, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, also play crucial roles in cell differentiation by modulating gene expression patterns. Some important epigenetic regulators involved in cell differentiation include: 1) DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) that add methyl groups to DNA, leading to gene silencing and are involved in the regulation of cell lineage commitment and tissue-specific gene expression; 2) Histone-modifying enzymes that add or remove various chemical groups on histone proteins, thereby altering chromatin structure, gene accessibility and expression. Examples include histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs); 3) Polycomb group proteins, involved in gene silencing and maintaining cellular memory during development. They form complexes that similarly modify histones and contribute to the stable repression of specific genes. Various signalling pathways, such as Notch, Wnt, and Hedgehog, are also critically involved in cell differentiation. Proteins in these pathways transmit extracellular signals from growth factors and cytokines via cell surface receptors such as receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) to the nucleus, thereby globally modulating gene expression and cell fate decisions. For instance, the Notch pathway regulates cell differentiation in various tissues and organs during development. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodelling, similarly play crucial roles in cell differentiation. Proteins involved in these processes, such as DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, and chromatin remodelling complexes, regulate the accessibility of genes and impact cell fate determination. Other regulators of cell differentiation include cell adhesion molecules cadherins, integrins, and selectins that mediate cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. They play critical roles in tissue organization, cell migration, and differentiation. Finally, morphogens such as Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), and Wnt family members establish concentration gradients during development and guide cell fate determination and patterning. We offer a comprehensive product catalogue of research reagents for studying cell differentiation, including S100 beta antibodies, Galectin 3 antibodies, EGF antibodies, EGF ELISA Kits, and Galectin 3 ELISA Kits. Explore our full cell differentiation product range below and discover more, for less.