Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
10:22
Mammalian Cell Division in 3D Matrices via Quantitative Confocal Reflection Microscopy
Published on: November 29, 2017
8.2K
Asymmetric cell division: recent developments and their implications for tumour biology
1Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of Austrian Academy of Science, Doktor Bohr-Gasse 3, 1030 Vienna, Austria. juergen.knoblich@imba.oeaw.ac.at
Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|November 25, 2010
Summary
Asymmetric cell division generates diverse cell types. Localized phosphorylation, centrosomes, and microtubules orchestrate the segregation of cell fate determinants during mitosis, impacting stem cells and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Asymmetric cell division is crucial for development and generating cell diversity.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of asymmetric cell division has advanced significantly.
- The role of asymmetric cell division in stem cell biology and its connection to tumorigenesis are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding asymmetric cell division.
- To highlight the molecular players involved in segregating cell fate determinants.
- To discuss the implications of asymmetric cell division in stem cell biology and cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on asymmetric cell division over the past decade.
- Focus on molecular mechanisms including phosphorylation, centrosomes, and microtubules.
- Exploration of connections to stem cell biology and tumorigenesis.
Main Results:
- Localized phosphorylation events are key to asymmetric segregation of cell fate determinants during mitosis.
- Centrosomes and microtubules are critical components in orchestrating asymmetric cell division.
- Asymmetric cell division plays a vital role in stem cell maintenance and differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Significant progress has been made in elucidating the mechanisms of asymmetric cell division.
- Asymmetric cell division is fundamentally linked to stem cell biology and has implications for cancer research.
- Further research into asymmetric cell division promises new insights into development and disease.
Related Concept Videos
02:18Cancer
51.7K
Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
51.7K
02:07Tumor Progression
6.2K
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.2K
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
5.7K
Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.7K
02:30Metastasis
5.4K
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
5.4K
02:40Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
4.3K
Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
4.3K
01:27Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
3.9K
Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
3.9K