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Related Concept Videos

The Cell Cycle Control System01:28

The Cell Cycle Control System

The cell cycle regulation directs how a cell proceeds from one phase to the next and begins mitosis. The cell cycle control system includes intracellular regulatory molecules and external triggers. They provide "stop" or "advance" signals and operate at specific cell cycle stages termed checkpoints to ensure that a particular process is completed before the cell advances to the next phase.
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
The Cell Cycle Control System02:11

The Cell Cycle Control System

The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
The Cell Cycle Control System02:11

The Cell Cycle Control System

The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation02:36

Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

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...
M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis02:15

M-Cdk Drives Transition Into Mitosis

Checkpoints throughout the cell cycle serve as safeguards and gatekeepers, allowing the cell cycle to progress in favorable conditions and slow or halt it in problematic ones. This regulation is known as the cell cycle control system.
Cyclin-dependent kinases, or Cdks, work in concert with cyclins to control cell cycle transitions. M-Cdk, a complex of Cdk1 bound to M cyclin, is a well-known example of this coordinated control that drives the transition from the G2 to the M phase.
M cyclin...

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Cell-cycle checkpoint for transition from cell division to differentiation.

Yasuo Maeda1

  • 1Department of Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai 980-8578, Japan. kjygy352@ybb.ne.jp

Development, Growth & Differentiation
|May 19, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum has a critical growth/differentiation transition (GDT) point in its cell cycle. Understanding GDT regulation is key to development and disease, with mitochondria playing a novel role.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Growth and differentiation are generally mutually exclusive processes, crucial for organism development.
  • Terminally differentiated cells, like neurons, cease division, while malignant cells exhibit accelerated growth.
  • Dictyostelium discoideum serves as a model organism, transitioning from growth to differentiation upon starvation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the critical checkpoint, the growth/differentiation transition (GDT) point, in the cell cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum Ax-2 cells.
  • To understand the integration of GDT point-specific events with starvation-induced signals in regulating differentiation.
  • To review the multifaceted roles of mitochondria in Dictyostelium development and differentiation initiation.

Main Methods:

  • Precise specification of the GDT point within the cell cycle of D. discoideum Ax-2.
  • Analysis of intercellular and intracellular signaling pathways influencing differentiation.
  • Examination of cell positioning and cell-type determination based on cell cycle phase at starvation onset.

Main Results:

  • The GDT point was precisely identified in the cell cycle of D. discoideum Ax-2.
  • Cellular positioning and fate decisions are dependent on the cell cycle phase at starvation.
  • Mitochondrial functions were found to be integral to Dictyostelium development and differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • The GDT point is a critical regulatory mechanism controlling the switch from growth to differentiation in Dictyostelium.
  • Interplay between cell cycle phase, environmental cues (starvation), and signaling networks dictates developmental outcomes.
  • Mitochondria play essential, previously unrecognized roles in Dictyostelium development and differentiation initiation.