Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6.
Sprott Center for Stem Cell Research, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6; Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada K1H 8L6.
Cell Stem Cell. 2019 Apr 4;24(4):518-533. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.03.005.
Stem cells are continuously challenged with the decision to either self-renew or adopt a new fate. Self-renewal is regulated by a system of cellular memory, which must be bypassed for differentiation. Previous studies have identified Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG) proteins as key modulators of cellular memory. In this Perspective, we draw from embryonic and adult stem cell studies to discuss the complex roles played by PcG and TrxG in maintaining cell identity while allowing for microenvironment-mediated alterations in cell fate. Finally, we discuss the potential for targeting these proteins as a therapeutic approach in cancer.
干细胞不断面临自我更新或采取新命运的决策。自我更新受细胞记忆系统调控,而分化则必须绕过该系统。先前的研究已经确定 Polycomb 组 (PcG) 和 Trithorax 组 (TrxG) 蛋白是细胞记忆的关键调节剂。在本观点中,我们借鉴胚胎和成体干细胞研究来讨论 PcG 和 TrxG 在维持细胞特性的同时允许微环境介导的细胞命运改变方面所起的复杂作用。最后,我们讨论了将这些蛋白作为癌症治疗方法的潜在性。