Connecting cancer to the asymmetric division of stem cells

Cell. 2006 Mar 24;124(6):1121-3. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2006.03.004.

Abstract

Two studies, one in this issue of Cell and the other in Developmental Cell show that the cell-fate determinant Brain Tumor (Brat) suppresses self-renewal in one of the daughter cells that arise from the asymmetric division of a neural stem cell. This work suggests a mechanism by which loss of polarity in stem cells may lead to tumorigenesis.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division* / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila / embryology
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology
  • Nuclear Proteins / physiology
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Transcription Factors / physiology

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • brat protein, Drosophila
  • pros protein, Drosophila