Isolation Of A New Gene Family Essential For Early Development
Science Daily — Researchers at BRIC, University of Copenhagen, have
identified a new gene family (UTX-JMJD3) essential for embryonic
development. The family controls the expression of genes crucial for
stem cell maintenance and differentiation, and the results may
contribute significantly to the understanding of the development of
cancer.
The results were recently published in Nature, and they follows up on
2 other high-impact articles on related gene families published in
Nature and Cell by the same research group within the last year.
How embryonic stem cells work All organisms consist of a number of
different cell types each producing different proteins. The nerve
cells produce proteins necessary for the nerve cell function; the
muscle cells proteins necessary for the muscle function and so on.
All these specialised cells originate from the same cell type -- the
embryonic stem cells. In a highly controlled process called
differentiation, the stem cells are induced to become specialised
cells.
Gene family helps regulate stem cell differentiation The BRIC
researchers have now identified a new gene family, which by modifying
gene expression is essential for the regulation of the
differentiation process. These results have been obtained by using
both human and mouse stem cells, as well as by studying the devel-
opment of the round worm, C. elegans.
The new findings are in line with a number of recent publications
that support the idea that differentiation may not entirely be a "one-
way process", and may have impact on the therapeutic use of stem
cells for the treatment of various genetic diseases such as cancer
and Alzheimer's disease.
The research was carried out by a team led by Professor Kristian
Helin at the new established Centre for Epigenetics at BRIC, Univer-
sity of Copenhagen, in cooperation with researchers at the University
of Edinburgh, and the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel.
Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by
University of Copenhagen.
http://www.scienced
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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