title: The asymmetric division and tumorigenesis of stem cells.
abstract: Stem cells use asymmetric and symmetric cell division to generate progeny. Symmetric cell division is defined as the generation of daughter cells that are destined to acquire the same fate. Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate one daughter with a stem-cell fate and one daughter with different fate. Disruption of the machinery that regulates asymmetric division may be a reason for the generation of cancer. The asymmetric mechanism is maintained by cell polarity factors, cell fate determinants, and the spindle apparatus. The mutation or dysregulation of these factors may change stem cells from asymmetric to symmetric cell division, then leading to tumorigenesis. Therefore, further study is needed on the mechanisms of stem cell control between asymmetric and symmetric cell division, as well as the relationships among stem cells, cancer stem cells, and tumor cells. It may bring us a new approach for the resistance, recurrence, and metastasis of tumors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Medicine, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou, Fujian 362021, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Qi-Zhao
authors.initials: QZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ying-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Diao
authors.forename: Rui-An
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D016764:Cell Polarity; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004330:Drosophila / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology; D008941:Spindle Apparatus / Q000378:metabolism; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins