Cell dormancy plasticity: quiescence deepens into senescence through a dimmer switch
Kotaro Fujimaki1, Guang Yao1,2
1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Physiological Genomics
|September 28, 2020
Summary
Cellular quiescence, a reversible dormant state, can progress to irreversible senescence. This transition involves a deepening quiescence and an elevated RB-E2F-CDK gene network activation threshold.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Molecular biology
- Cellular senescence
Background:
- Quiescence and senescence are distinct dormant cellular states.
- Quiescence is typically reversible, while senescence is irreversible.
- Recent research suggests a potential link between these states.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between quiescence and senescence.
- To explore the transition pathway from quiescence to senescence.
- To identify molecular mechanisms underlying this transition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell and tissue types exhibiting quiescence and senescence.
- Investigating changes in proliferative tendency and capability.
- Examining the RB-E2F-CDK gene network activation threshold.
Main Results:
- Quiescence can transition to senescence through a deepening dormant state.
- This transition is characterized by a decreased proliferative tendency, not capability.
- An increasing activation threshold of the RB-E2F-CDK gene network accompanies this pathway.
Conclusions:
- Quiescence is a common transitional path toward senescence.
- The RB-E2F-CDK gene network plays a crucial role in this transition.
- Understanding this pathway offers insights into cellular aging and dormancy.
Related Concept Videos
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
4.2K
Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.2K
01:17Gene Regulation During Sporulation
305
Sporulation is a complex developmental process that allows certain Gram-positive bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium species, to survive extreme environmental conditions. This process is tightly regulated by a series of signaling cascades and transcriptional controls, ensuring the formation of a highly resistant endospore.Sporulation is triggered by unfavorable conditions, such as nutrient depletion, and is governed by a phosphorelay system. One of the sensor kinases, such as...
305
00:58Plasticity
2.7K
Plasticity is the property where an object loses its elasticity and undergoes irreversible deformation, even after the deformation forces are eliminated. If a material deforms irreversibly without increasing stress or load, then this is called ideal plasticity. For example, when a force is applied to an aluminum rod, it changes its shape, but it does not return to its original shape once the force is removed. Plastic deformation or ductility is thus a permanent deformation or change in the...
2.7K
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
2.6K
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...
2.6K
01:06Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
4.0K
A hair follicle or HF is a small part of the skin that produces the hair shaft. Paul Gerson Unna was the first to observe a bulge in the human hair follicle's outer root sheath (ORS). The bulge is present between the sebaceous gland and the arrector pili muscle and is the niche for hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). The bulge is also a niche for melanocyte stem cells, and their loss results in graying of hair. The HFSCs express Sox9 and Lhx2, which help them maintain stemness and prevent...
4.0K
01:19Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
3.6K
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...
3.6K