Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 14, 2025
07:17
MEDUSA for Identifying Death Regulatory Genes in Chemo-genetic Profiling Data
Published on: February 7, 2025
720
Cell Competition: A Choreographed Dance of Death
Ana Lima1, Tristan A Rodriguez1
1National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
Current Biology : CB
|March 10, 2021
Summary
In cell competition, fitter cells eliminate weaker ones. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is secreted by loser cells to attract winner cells, guiding this elimination process.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cellular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cell competition is a mechanism where superior cells eliminate inferior ones.
- This process is crucial for tissue homeostasis and organismal development.
- The molecular signals mediating cell competition remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify signaling molecules involved in attracting fitter cells during cell competition.
- To elucidate the role of secreted factors in mediating the elimination of weaker cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic screening in Drosophila melanogaster models.
- Performed in vivo imaging to track cell behavior.
- Conducted molecular assays to detect secreted factors and their interactions.
Main Results:
- Identified Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) as a key secreted factor.
- Demonstrated that FGF21 is produced by cells destined to be eliminated (loser cells).
- Showed that FGF21 attracts the fitter cells (winner cells) towards the loser cells.
Conclusions:
- FGF21 acts as a chemoattractant in cell competition.
- This mechanism ensures efficient elimination of weaker cells by fitter cells.
- Highlights a novel role for FGF21 in developmental quality control.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:34Competition
23.5K
When organisms require the same limited resources within an environment, they may have to compete for them. Competition is a net-negative interaction. Even if two competing individuals or populations do not interact directly, the overall fitness of both competitors is lowered as a result of not having full access to the limited resource.
23.5K
01:30Overview of Cell Death
8.4K
Cell death is an essential process where the body gets rid of old or damaged cells. Cell proliferation and death need to be balanced, as an imbalance between the two may lead to cancer or autoimmune diseases.
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
Cell death was observed in the early 19th century, but there was no experimental evidence to prove it. In 1842, Carl Vogt first discovered cell death in a metamorphic toad; however, it was not termed ‘cell death.’ Scientists discovered different cell death pathways only in the...
8.4K
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
3.7K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.7K
02:15Replicative Cell Senescence
4.0K
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...
4.0K
00:51Radical Formation: Elimination
2.0K
Another method of radical formation is the elimination process. It is the opposite of the addition route and is driven by the instability of the radical. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, dibenzoyl peroxide yields a pair of unstable radicals upon homolysis. Given its instability, this radical spontaneously undergoes elimination via a C–C bond cleavage to form a relatively more stable phenyl radical. The mechanism involves cleavage of the bond between the α and β positions with respect...
2.0K
01:22Entropy within the Cell
12.3K
A living cell's primary tasks of obtaining, transforming, and using energy to do work may seem simple. However, the second law of thermodynamics explains why these tasks are harder than they appear. None of the energy transfers in the universe are completely efficient. In every energy transfer, some amount of energy is lost in a form that is unusable. In most cases, this form is heat energy. Thermodynamically, heat energy is defined as the energy transferred from one system to another that...
12.3K