Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
11:35
Isolation of Quiescent Stem Cell Populations from Individual Skeletal Muscles
Published on: December 9, 2022
A new description of cellular quiescence
Hilary A Coller1, Liyun Sang, James M Roberts
1Department of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. hcoller@molbio.princeton.edu
Plos Biology
|March 3, 2006
Summary
Cellular quiescence is not a single state; different signals induce unique quiescent states. A conserved "quiescence program" ensures cells remain non-dividing and reversible, suppressing terminal differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cellular quiescence, a reversible cell cycle arrest, is traditionally viewed as a uniform state.
- Diverse anti-mitogenic signals are believed to induce this homogenous quiescent state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if different signals induce distinct quiescent states in human diploid fibroblasts.
- To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying cellular quiescence and its reversibility.
Main Methods:
- Transcriptional profiling of human diploid fibroblasts.
- Analysis of cells arrested by mitogen withdrawal, contact inhibition, and loss of adhesion.
Main Results:
- Each signal induced a unique set of genes, indicating distinct quiescent states.
- A signal-independent
- quiescence program
- was identified, regulating non-division and reversibility.
- This program suppresses terminal differentiation, ensuring reversibility.
- Key quiescence program genes were not activated by direct cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Cellular quiescence is a heterogeneous state determined by the inducing signal.
- A conserved molecular program underlies quiescence, maintaining the non-dividing state and reversibility.
- Suppression of terminal differentiation is a crucial mechanism for reversible quiescence.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
01:16Non-equilibrium in the Cell
An important concept in studying metabolism and energy is that of chemical equilibrium. Most chemical reactions are reversible. They can proceed in both directions, releasing energy into their environment in one direction, and absorbing it from the environment in the other direction. The same is true for the chemical reactions involved in cell metabolism, such as the breaking down and building up of proteins into and from individual amino acids, respectively. Reactants within a closed system...
01:19Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds the telomeric...
00:57Cellular Differentiation
How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...
A zygote is a...
01:23Cellular Adaptation I: Introduction and Atrophy
Cells can adapt to environmental changes to maintain function and avoid injury, a process called cellular adaptation. Adapted cells exist in a reversible intermediate state with changes in size, number, phenotype, metabolism, or function. These responses help cells meet altered physiological or pathological demands; for example, enlargement of breast and uterine tissues during pregnancy. Early adaptations may enhance function, but persistent stress eventually causes tissue damage.Types of...