A new connection between the spindle checkpoint, asymmetric cell division and cytokine signaling

It is apparent from recent experimental evidence that a more detailed understanding of cancer stem cells is an important, yet poorly explored, aspect of tumor biology. It is believed that greater understanding of cancer stem cells could enhance treatment strategies for this disease. Understanding molecular mechanisms of self-renewal and differentiation of normal stem cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells, is a vital part of this emerging field. We have recently reported a new link between an important cell cycle timer/regulator, MAD2, and the cytokine, stem cell factor, and its receptor. Here we comment on potential implications of these new findings for understanding stem cell self-renewal and present new data supporting our interpretations.