Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
11:06
Identifying DNA Mutations in Purified Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells
Published on: February 24, 2014
Differential DNA damage response in stem and progenitor cells.
Jun Seita1, Derrick J Rossi, Irving L Weissman
1Stanford Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. jseita@stanford.edu
Cell Stem Cell
|August 5, 2010
Summary
Tissue-specific stem cells may react to DNA damage uniquely. Studies in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells reveal distinct DNA damage responses, supporting this hypothesis.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Stem Cell Research
- Genetics
Background:
- Tissue-specific stem cells possess extended lifespans, implying potentially unique responses to cellular stressors like DNA damage compared to differentiated cells.
- Understanding stem cell biology is crucial for regenerative medicine and disease research.
Discussion:
- Two independent studies investigated DNA damage responses specifically within hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.
- These studies aimed to determine if the unique characteristics of stem cells influence their handling of genetic damage.
Key Insights:
- Findings suggest that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells exhibit distinct mechanisms for managing DNA damage.
- This differential response may be linked to their long-term self-renewal capacity and role in tissue maintenance.
Outlook:
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise molecular pathways involved in stem cell DNA damage response.
- These insights could have significant implications for cancer therapy and aging research.
Related Concept Videos
02:36DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
02:36DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
02:25Overview of DNA Repair
In order to be passed through generations, genomic DNA must be undamaged and error-free. However, every day, DNA in a cell undergoes several thousand to a million damaging events by natural causes and external factors. Ionizing radiation such as UV rays, free radicals produced during cellular respiration, and hydrolytic damage from metabolic reactions can alter the structure of DNA. Damages caused include single-base alteration, base dimerization, chain breaks, and cross-linkage.
Chemically...
Chemically...
01:38Nucleotide Excision Repair
DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
01:08Nucleotide Excision Repair
Overview
02:04Fixing Double-strand Breaks
The double-stranded structure of DNA has two major advantages. First, it serves as a safe repository of genetic information where one strand serves as the back-up in case the other strand is damaged. Second, the double-helical structure can be wrapped around proteins called histones to form nucleosomes, which can then be tightly wound to form chromosomes. This way, DNA chains up to 2 inches long can be contained within microscopic structures in a cell. A double-stranded break not only damages...