Title |
Molecular mechanisms controlling asymmetric and symmetric self-renewal of cancer stem cells
|
---|---|
Published in |
Journal of Analytical Science and Technology , October 2015
|
DOI | 10.1186/s40543-015-0071-4 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Young Dong Yoo, Yong Tae Kwon |
Abstract |
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), or alternatively called tumor initiating cells (TICs), are a subpopulation of tumor cells, which possesses the ability to self-renew and differentiate into bulk tumor mass. An accumulating body of evidence suggests that CSCs contribute to the growth and recurrence of tumors and the resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. CSCs achieve self-renewal through asymmetric division, in which one daughter cell retains the self-renewal ability, and the other is destined to differentiation. Recent studies revealed the mechanisms of asymmetric division in normal stem cells (NSCs) and, to a limited degree, CSCs as well. Asymmetric division initiates when a set of polarity-determining proteins mark the apical side of mother stem cells, which arranges the unequal alignment of mitotic spindle and centrosomes along the apical-basal polarity axis. This subsequently guides the recruitment of fate-determining proteins to the basal side of mother cells. Following cytokinesis, two daughter cells unequally inherit centrosomes, differentiation-promoting fate determinants, and other proteins involved in the maintenance of stemness. Modulation of asymmetric and symmetric division of CSCs may provide new strategies for dual targeting of CSCs and the bulk tumor mass. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms by which NSCs and CSCs achieve asymmetric division, including the functions of polarity- and fate-determining factors. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 1 | 1% |
Unknown | 80 | 99% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Bachelor | 18 | 22% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 13 | 16% |
Researcher | 11 | 14% |
Student > Master | 9 | 11% |
Other | 5 | 6% |
Other | 9 | 11% |
Unknown | 16 | 20% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 23 | 28% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 20 | 25% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 10 | 12% |
Immunology and Microbiology | 3 | 4% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 1% |
Other | 6 | 7% |
Unknown | 18 | 22% |