title: Tension precedes commitment-even for a stem cell.
abstract: The differentiation potential of stem cells is influenced by cell density. An article in the April issue of Developmental Cell demonstrates that lineage commitment by mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by shape-induced changes in Rho GTPase activity and cytoskeletal tension.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and Harvard Medical School, 149 13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Settleman
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D048429:Cell Size; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000166:cytology; D008954:Models, Biological; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D005353:Fibronectins; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins