Stem cell competition for niche occupancy: emerging themes and mechanisms.
Tissue-specific adult stem cells are responsible for generating a range of various differentiated cells during their life time; these cells are intimately associated with niche for maintenance and function. Recent studies of germline stem cell niches in Drosophila gonad suggest that stem cells within a niche constantly compete with each other for niche occupancy. Competition within a niche occurs between same type of stem cells as well as different types. In both cases, cell adhesion molecules are critical in mediating the competition.
Zhao
Rui
R
National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing, 102206, China.
Xi
Rongwen
R
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000502:physiology; D006066:Gonads / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D055153:Stem Cell Niche / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D057905:Stem Cell Research