Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 18, 2026
09:51
Assessing Cell Cycle Progression of Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells in the Mouse Developing Brain after Genotoxic Stress
Published on: May 7, 2014
15.9K
Neuronal cell cycle: the neuron itself and its circumstances
José M Frade1, María C Ovejero-Benito
1a Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology; Instituto Cajal; Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IC-CSIC) ; Madrid , Spain.
Cell Cycle (Georgetown, Tex.)
|January 16, 2015
Summary
Neurons can replicate DNA and become tetraploid, challenging the postmitotic dogma. This neuronal tetraploidization is linked to development and neurodegeneration, involving cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neurons are traditionally considered postmitotic, undergoing apoptosis upon cell cycle reactivation.
- Recent findings reveal specific neuronal populations can enter DNA replication, achieving a stable tetraploid state.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and integrate recent findings on neuronal DNA replication and tetraploidization.
- To contextualize these developments within neuronal cell cycle regulation and apoptosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
- Analysis of cell cycle checkpoints (G1/S and G2/M) in neurons.
- Examination of the interplay between cell cycle machinery and apoptotic pathways.
Main Results:
- Identified distinct developmental programs and adult brain events leading to neuronal tetraploidization.
- Highlighted neuronal tetraploidization as an early indicator of neurodegeneration.
- Described diverse G1/S and G2/M checkpoint regulatory mechanisms in neurons.
Conclusions:
- Neuronal cell cycle regulation is complex, with mechanisms allowing for DNA replication and tetraploidization.
- These processes are intricately linked to apoptosis and can be influenced by environmental cues and neuronal identity.
- Outcomes range from cell cycle arrest and apoptosis to potential proliferation of differentiated neurons.
Keywords:
AD, Alzheimer diseaseBDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factorBrdU, 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridineCKI, Cdk-inhibitorCNS, central nervous systemCdk, cyclin-dependent kinaseCip/Kip, cyclin inhibitor protein/kinase inhibitor proteinG0, quiescent stateG1, growth phase 1G2, growth phase 2Ink, inhibitor of kinaseMcm2, minichromosome maintenance 2PCNA, proliferating cell nuclear antigenPD, Parkinson diseaseRGCs, retinal ganglion cellsRb, RetinoblastomaS-phaseS-phase, synthesis phase.apoptosiscell cycle re-entrymitosisneuronp38MAPK, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinasep75NTR, neurotrophin receptor p75tetraploid
Related Concept Videos
01:04What is the Cell Cycle?
247.3K
The cell cycle refers to the sequence of events occurring throughout a typical cell’s life. In eukaryotic cells, the somatic cell cycle has two stages: interphase and the mitotic phase. During interphase, the cell grows, performs its basic metabolic functions, copies its DNA, and prepares for mitotic cell division. Then, during mitosis and cytokinesis, the cell divides its nuclear and cytoplasmic materials, respectively. This generates two daughter cells that are identical to the original...
247.3K
01:04What is the Cell Cycle?
13.1K
13.1K
00:56What is the Cell Cycle?
9.0K
9.0K
00:56What is the Cell Cycle?
11.8K
The cell cycle refers to the sequence of events occurring throughout a typical cell’s life. In eukaryotic cells, the somatic cell cycle has two stages: the interphase and the mitotic phase. During interphase, the cell grows, performs its basic metabolic functions, copies its DNA, and prepares for mitotic cell division. Then, during mitosis and cytokinesis, the cell divides its nuclear and cytoplasmic materials, respectively. This generates two daughter cells that are identical to the...
11.8K
01:28The Cell Cycle Control System
6.5K
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...
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and...
6.5K
02:11The Cell Cycle Control System
15.2K
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...
15.2K