Abstract: The present invention chiefly aims to provide a process for directly inducing cardiomyocytes from somatic cells without performing artificial gene transfer, a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and a composition comprising a combination of chemical compounds capable of using for the said process. The present invention can include a process for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the process comprising a step of culturing the somatic cell in the presence of a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer, and a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and then a composition for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the composition comprising a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer. The cardiomyocytes obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to provide a new producing method capable of efficiently performing direct conversion or induction from a somatic cell to an insulin-producing cell. The present invention can include, for example, a process for producing an insulin-producing cell by direct differentiation induction from a somatic cell, comprising a step of culturing a somatic cell in a serum-free differentiation induction medium, or a step of culturing a somatic cell in a differentiation induction medium containing 5 ?g/mL or more of insulin. According to the present invention, insulin-producing cells having a high insulin secretion ability can be produced directly and efficiently from a somatic cell. The insulin-producing cells obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: It is a main object of the present invention to provide a process for producing an insulin-producing cell from a somatic cell without performing artificial gene transfer, an insulin-producing cell obtained from the process, or a composition comprising a combination of chemical substances that can be used for the process. The present invention can include, for example: a process for producing an insulin-producing cell from a somatic cell by direct differentiation induction, comprising a step of culturing a somatic cell in the presence of an RSK inhibitor; an insulin-producing cell obtained from the process; and a composition for producing an insulin-producing cell from a somatic cell by directly inducing differentiation, comprising an RSK inhibitor. The insulin-producing cells obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: The present invention chiefly aims to provide a process for directly inducing insulin-producing cells from somatic cells without performing artificial gene transfer. The present invention can include a process for producing an insulin-producing cell by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the process comprising a step of culturing the somatic cell in the presence of a cAMP inducer, and six members selected from the group consisting of a GSK3 inhibitor, a TGF-? inhibitor, a BMP inhibitor, a p53 inhibitor, a PI3K inhibitor, a Notch inhibitor and a RAR agonist, or all members thereof. The insulin-producing cells obtained by the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: The present invention chiefly aims to provide a process for directly inducing cardiomyocytes from somatic cells without performing artificial gene transfer, a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and a composition comprising a combination of chemical compounds capable of using for the said process. The present invention can include a process for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the process comprising a step of culturing the somatic cell in the presence of a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer, and a cardiomyocyte obtained thereby, and then a composition for producing a cardiomyocyte by inducing differentiation directly from a somatic cell, the composition comprising a MEK inhibitor and a cAMP inducer. The cardiomyocytes obtained according to the present invention are useful in regenerative medicine and the like.

Abstract: Provided is a material useful for preventing or ameliorating uneven skin tone, prevention or amelioration of uneven skin tone by enhancing autophagic activity, and a method for evaluating or selecting an agent for preventing or ameliorating uneven skin tone using an autophagic activity-enhancing action as an indicator.