A systematic mRNA control mechanism for germline stem cell homeostasis and cell fate specification

• Published in: BMB reports Vol. 49; no. 2; pp. 93 - 98
• Main Authors: Lee, Myon-Hee, Mamillapalli, Srivalli Swathi, Keiper, Brett D, Cha, Dong Seok
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 01-02-2016; 생화학분자생물학회
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Lineage - genetics; Contributed Mini Review; Germ Cells - cytology; Germ Cells - metabolism; Homeostasis - genetics; Humans; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - metabolism; Transcriptional Activation - genetics; 화학
• ISSN: 1976-6696; 1976-670X
• DOI: 10.5483/BMBRep.2016.49.2.135

Germline stem cells (GSCs) are the best understood adult stem cell types in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and have provided an important model system for studying stem cells and their cell fate in vivo, in mammals. In this review, we propose a mechanism that controls GSCs and their cell fate through selective activation, repression and mobilization of the specific mRNAs. This mechanism is acutely controlled by known signal transduction pathways (e.g., Notch signaling and Ras-ERK MAPK signaling pathways) and P granule (analogous to mammalian germ granule)-associated mRNA regulators (FBF-1, FBF-2, GLD-1, GLD-2, GLD-3, RNP-8 and IFE-1). Importantly, all regulators are highly conserved in many multi-cellular animals. Therefore, GSCs from a simple animal may provide broad insight into vertebrate stem cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells) and their cell fate specification. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(2): 93-98].