Stem cells and asymmetric cell division

TY - CHAP

T1 - Stem cells and asymmetric cell division

AU - Sousa-Nunes, Rita

AU - Hirth, Frank

PY - 2016/4/25

Y1 - 2016/4/25

N2 - Asymmetric stem cell division is a widespread process used to generate cellular diversity in developing and adult organisms whilst retaining a steady stem cell pool. When dividing asymmetrically, stem cells self-renew and generate a second cell type, which can be either a differentiating progenitor or a postmitotic cell. Studies in model organisms, most notably the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans , the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster , and the mouse Mus musculus , have identified interrelated mechanisms that regulate asymmetric cell division, from polarity formation and mitotic spindle orientation, to asymmetric segregation of fate determinants and organelles, that impact growth and proliferation. Mechanisms linking extrinsic signals to cellular asymmetry are also beginning to emerge. These cellular processes are mediated by evolutionary conserved molecules, and together equilibrate numbers of progenitor and differentiated cells. Insights into asymmetric division have enhanced our understanding of stem cell biology and of hypo- or hyper-proliferation as a consequence of its disruption, including cancer formation. These insights are of major interest for regenerative medicine, since asymmetrically dividing stem cells provide a powerful source for targeted cell replacement and tissue regeneration.

AB - Asymmetric stem cell division is a widespread process used to generate cellular diversity in developing and adult organisms whilst retaining a steady stem cell pool. When dividing asymmetrically, stem cells self-renew and generate a second cell type, which can be either a differentiating progenitor or a postmitotic cell. Studies in model organisms, most notably the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans , the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster , and the mouse Mus musculus , have identified interrelated mechanisms that regulate asymmetric cell division, from polarity formation and mitotic spindle orientation, to asymmetric segregation of fate determinants and organelles, that impact growth and proliferation. Mechanisms linking extrinsic signals to cellular asymmetry are also beginning to emerge. These cellular processes are mediated by evolutionary conserved molecules, and together equilibrate numbers of progenitor and differentiated cells. Insights into asymmetric division have enhanced our understanding of stem cell biology and of hypo- or hyper-proliferation as a consequence of its disruption, including cancer formation. These insights are of major interest for regenerative medicine, since asymmetrically dividing stem cells provide a powerful source for targeted cell replacement and tissue regeneration.

KW - Apicobasal polarity

KW - Asymmetric cell division

KW - C. elegans

KW - Cancer

KW - Cell fate determinant

KW - Cell polarity

KW - Cell replacement

KW - Centrosome

KW - Differentiation

KW - Drosophila

KW - Growth

KW - Midbody

KW - Mitotic spindle orientation

KW - Mouse

KW - Neural stem cell

KW - Neuroblast

KW - Primary cilium

KW - Progenitor cell

KW - Proliferation

KW - Self-renewal

KW - Stem cell

KW - Tissue regeneration

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85030661438&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-319-27583-3_3

DO - 10.1007/978-3-319-27583-3_3

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:85030661438

SN - 9783319275819

SP - 87

EP - 121

BT - Regenerative Medicine - from Protocol to Patient: 1. Biology of Tissue Regeneration: Third Edition

PB - Springer International Publishing Switzerland

ER -