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Different Stem Cell Types Defined By Exclusive Combinations Of Genes Working Together

Date:
September 22, 2008
Source:
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore
Summary:
In the new issue of Cell Stem Cell, scientists report that the same transcription factor, which is crucial for the survival of different stem cell types, can behave differently. This finding reveals important insights about how scientists may be able to manipulate and engineer different stem cells for the treatment of human degenerative disorders. Understanding the behavior of transcription factors, a class of gene regulators, helps pave the way for important advancements in stem cell technology and clinical research.
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In the new issue of Cell Stem Cell, scientists report that the same transcription factor, which is crucial for the survival of different stem cell types, can behave differently.

This study clearly showed for the first time that different types of stem cells are defined by exclusive combinations of genes working together, and this is under the influence of a single key stem cell factor (called Sall4).

The finding is timely since other researchers have recently revealed that specific genetic recipes can be used to turn non-stem cells into different stem cells that can be useful clinically.

This finding reveals important insights about how scientists may be able to manipulate and engineer different stem cells for the treatment of human degenerative disorders.

Understanding the behaviour of transcription factors, a class of gene regulators, helps pave the way for important advancements in stem cell technology and clinical research.

Stem cells are important for the cell-based therapy of many degenerative tissue disorders. Each type of body tissue has its own unique type of stem cells whose behaviour is controlled by different sets of genes.

Given the enormous complexity of each stem cell type and the underlying genetic bases for their unique purpose, it has been a major challenge for scientists to unravel the similarities and differences between the different stem cells.

The latest research, led by Bing Lim, Senior Group Leader at the Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), focused on identifying and understanding the functions of powerful genetic molecules, also known as "stem cell factors".

Dr. Bing Lim said, "This new discovery has provided us with important new leads and ideas on how to grow and expand various stem cells for clinical research and treatment needs."

Dr. Daniel Tenen, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Director for Cancer Research Centre of Excellence at the National University of Singapore, said, "These studies are of great significance, as they provide important clues as to how a single transcription factor might regulate different targets in different stem cells."

Interestingly, this stem cell factor also appeared to be associated with certain diseases, particularly leukemia.

Dr. Li Chai, Instructor at the Department of Pathology at the Harvard Medical School, added that, "as Sall4 plays an important role in both normal hematopoietic stem cell function and in leukemia stem cells, these findings may have clinical relevance; they may lead to understanding differences between normal and cancer stem cells."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Chin Yan Lim, Wai-Leong Tam, Jinqiu Zhang, Haw Siang Ang, Hui Jia, Leonard Lipovich, Huck-Hui Ng, Chia-Lin Wei, Wing Kin Sung, Paul Robson, Henry Yang, and Bing Lim. Sall4 Regulates Distinct Transcription Circuitries in Different Blastocyst-Derived Stem Cell Lineages. Cell Stem Cell, 2008; DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2008.08.004

Cite This Page:

Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. "Different Stem Cell Types Defined By Exclusive Combinations Of Genes Working Together." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 September 2008. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170412.htm>.
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. (2008, September 22). Different Stem Cell Types Defined By Exclusive Combinations Of Genes Working Together. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170412.htm
Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore. "Different Stem Cell Types Defined By Exclusive Combinations Of Genes Working Together." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/09/080918170412.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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