The molecular repertoire of the 'almighty' stem cell.
Stem cells share the defining characteristics of self-renewal, which maintains or expands the stem-cell pool, and multi-lineage differentiation, which generates and regenerates tissues. Stem-cell self-renewal and differentiation are influenced by the convergence of intrinsic cellular signals and extrinsic microenvironmental cues from the surrounding stem-cell niche, but the specific signals involved are poorly understood. Recently, several studies have sought to identify the genetic mechanisms that underlie the stem-cell phenotype. Such a molecular road map of stem-cell function should lead to an understanding of the true potential of stem cells.
Eckfeldt
Craig E
CE
Department of Medicine and Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
Mendenhall
Eric M
EM
Verfaillie
Catherine M
CM
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D019070:Cell Lineage; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*