title: Molecular mechanisms controlling germline and somatic stem cells: similarities and differences.
abstract: Germline and somatic stem cells are distinct types of stem cells that are dedicated to reproduction and somatic tissue homeostasis, respectively. Extensive studies on these two stem cell types in different organisms over the past few years have revealed some commonalities in the mechanisms controlling their self-renewal and differentiation. Furthermore, germline or somatic cells in various organisms and sexes also exhibit their own unique ways of regulating stem cell function. By understanding these similarities and differences we might gain a better insight into how stem cells are regulated in general and how germline and somatic stem cell types are regulated differently.
authors.affiliation: Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA.
authors.forename: Rongwen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kirilly
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins