Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Evaluation of Stem Cell Properties in Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cells Using Multi and Single Cell-based Spheres Assays
08:39

Evaluation of Stem Cell Properties in Human Ovarian Carcinoma Cells Using Multi and Single Cell-based Spheres Assays

Published on: January 3, 2015

Do cells let-7 determine stemness?

Peter Dröge1, Curt A Davey

  • 1Division of Genomics and Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637551. pdroge@ntu.edu.sg

Cell Stem Cell
|March 29, 2008
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs let-7 inversely correlate with HMGA2 oncoprotein during cancer. This let-7/HMGA2 link may identify cancer stem cells, impacting stem cell research.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • During oncogenic transformation, let-7 microRNA levels inversely correlate with the HMGA2 oncoprotein.
  • This inverse relationship suggests a regulatory mechanism in cancer development.

Discussion:

  • Yu et al. (2007) provide evidence linking let-7 and HMGA2 in cancer stem cells.
  • The let-7/HMGA2 axis may serve as a biomarker for cancer stem cells in vivo.

Key Insights:

  • The let-7 microRNA and HMGA2 oncoprotein interaction is crucial in oncogenesis.
  • This interaction is potentially a defining characteristic of cancer stem cells.

Outlook:

  • Further research into the let-7/HMGA2 pathway could reveal new therapeutic targets.
  • Understanding this linkage has broader implications for stem cell biology and cancer research.

More Related Videos

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal08:01

Oct4GiP Reporter Assay to Study Genes that Regulate Mouse Embryonic Stem Cell Maintenance and Self-renewal

Published on: May 30, 2012

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies07:29

Studying Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics for Developing New Treatment Strategies

Published on: June 20, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Maintenance of the ES Cell State01:14

Maintenance of the ES Cell State

The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
Lineage Commitment01:21

Lineage Commitment

Commitment is the  process whereby stem cells:
Source And Potency Of Stem Cells01:27

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with extensive self-renewal properties that help them maintain their population during the fetal and adult stages of life. They can specialize in all cell types of the human body. However, their differential potential may vary and can be classified into five types. Stem cells can be (1) Totipotent, (2) Pluripotent, (3) Multipotent, (4) Oligopotent, and (5) Unipotent. Each stem cell has a specific origin; the fertilized egg or zygote is a totipotent cell and...
Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells01:19

Multipotency 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...
Stem Cell Niche01:26

Stem Cell Niche

The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells01:23

Renewal of Intestinal Stem Cells

The intestinal epithelial lining rapidly renews every 4 to 5 days. The renewal is facilitated by intestinal stem cells (ISCs) located at the base of the crypt– a gland located at the bottom of each villus. ISCs divide asymmetrically to form new stem cells and progenitor daughter cells. The daughter cells are called transit-amplifying (TA) cells which move upwards along the crypt and either differentiate into absorptive cells– the enterocytes or secretory cells– including the goblet,...