Scientists have discovered how stem cells "know" which cell they need to become
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About the fact that stem cells — it is a very unique live arrangements, can become any other cells (and later to form the bodies) we all know quite a long time. But that's how it is these same stem cells «decide what to be»? They all contain the same genetic material and do not differ from each other. And, apparently, the researchers from Copenhagen University have new evidence about how it occurs «transformation».
what is unique about stem cells?
All stem cells have total potential development in any particular cell of our body. Therefore, many researchers try to answer fundamental questions about what defines «fate» cell growth, as well as when and why cells lose this potential. Researchers from the Center for stem cell biology Novo Nordisk Foundation at the University of Copenhagen found that proteins called transcription factors, which, according to some views, and was the cause of the modification of the cells play a very different role.
For 30 years, scientists thought that the transcription factors are what triggers the genes, enabling and disabling them. That conducts to a change of cells. However, show something quite different.
We previously thought that transcription factors control the process that determines whether a gene is expressed and subsequently translated into the corresponding protein. The obtained results indicate that these proteins can be something of a memory cell. While transcription factors are associated with the gene, the gene can be read (included). As soon as transcription factors disappear, the cells can no longer return to his «starting point», — explains Josh Brickman, a Professor at the University of Copenhagen and lead author of the project
The Researchers developed a model of stem cells that mimic a cell's response to a receipt of signals from the outside and used it to determine the exact sequence of events associated with turning on and off genes in response to the incoming signal. If you are interested in this topic and other news from the world of science and high technology, recommended
Transcription Factors are still a key element, but they do not control the process, as previously thought. After receipt of signal and beginning of the process of differentiation, the factors causing change in genes and remain in place for some time after a gene is read. And when they «understand» that the modification of the cells has begun, the factors disappear. You can compare this process with traces of who left the plane in the sky. They are in the air for some time, but slowly dissipate.
This discovery primarily changes the fundamental assumptions about molecular biology. especially important for researchers working on stem cells. They provide an understanding of how cells develop, how are ways to change and when to turn these changes becomes impossible. This is also important because the same path is involved in the formation of cancer cells. Which means that it will be possible to develop new methods of dealing with this terrible condition.
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