Carbohydrate Regulates Stem Cell Potency
ScienceDaily (Feb. 1, 2008) — Heparan sulfate, a carbohydrate
molecule that coats certain proteins on the cell surface, is critical
for the proper proliferation and potency of embryonic stem cells,
researchers report.
Stem cells' tremendous therapeutic potential arises from their
ability to continually self-renew and turn into any adult cell type.
Researchers have long been trying to uncover the basis of these
abilities, but while several proteins and growth factors are known to
play a role both inside and outside the cell, the molecular
mechanisms remain largely unknown.
Many of the stem-cell associated can attach to heparan sulfate
molecules, so Shoko Nishihara and colleagues examined what would
happen to mouse stem cells in cell culture if heparan sulfate
production was reduced or blocked. They discovered that three of the
major external factors promoting stem cell renewal (proteins called
Wnt, FGF, and BMP) could not induce the proper signals inside the
cell without heparan sulfate (HS).
As a result, HS deficient cells grew more slowly, and also
spontaneously differentiated into other cells more often, at rates
that correlated with the level of inhibition. Nishihara and
colleagues propose that heparan sulfate might be the cell-surface
component that mediates the external and internal signals promoting
stem cell renewal, and could be an important target for stem cell
engineering.
Adapted from materials provided by American Society for Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Need to cite this story in your essay, paper, or report? Use one of
the following formats:
MLA American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2008,
February 1). Carbohydrate Regulates Stem Cell Potency. ScienceDaily.
Retrieved February 6, 2008, from http://www.scienced
/releases/2008/
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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