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Asymmetric cell division during animal development.
1Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Dr Bohr Gasse 7, A-1030 Vienna, Austria. knoblich@nt.imp.univie.ac.at
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|June 20, 2001
Summary
Some cells divide asymmetrically, unequally distributing proteins to daughter cells. This process, seen in invertebrates, may also occur in mammalian stem cells, impacting cell polarity.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Most cells undergo symmetric division, producing two identical daughter cells.
- Some cells exhibit asymmetric division, unequally distributing cellular components.
- Asymmetric cell division is crucial for generating cell diversity and tissue development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the parallels between asymmetric cell division and epithelial cell polarity.
- To investigate the potential role of heterotrimeric G proteins in connecting these cellular processes.
- To assess the relevance of findings from invertebrate model organisms to mammalian stem cells.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of cell division mechanisms.
- Investigation of protein segregation during mitosis.
- Exploration of cell polarity establishment in epithelial cells.
- Examination of heterotrimeric G protein function.
Main Results:
- Asymmetric cell division involves the unequal segregation of protein determinants into daughter cells.
- Similarities exist between asymmetric division and the polarity observed in epithelial cells.
- Heterotrimeric G proteins may play a role in linking asymmetric division and cell polarity.
- Asymmetrically segregating proteins have been identified in vertebrates, suggesting conserved mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Asymmetric cell division is a fundamental process with implications for cell fate determination.
- The study highlights potential conserved mechanisms of cell polarity and division across species.
- Findings suggest that research on invertebrate models can inform our understanding of mammalian stem cell biology.
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