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Keeping an eye on retinoblastoma control of human embryonic stem cells
Author(s) -
Conklin Jamie F.,
Sage Julien
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of cellular biochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.028
H-Index - 165
eISSN - 1097-4644
pISSN - 0730-2312
DOI - 10.1002/jcb.22342
Subject(s) - embryonic stem cell , regenerative medicine , biology , retinoblastoma , microbiology and biotechnology , induced pluripotent stem cell , chromatin , stem cell , cellular differentiation , cell fate determination , genetics , transcription factor , dna , gene
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold great promise in regenerative medicine. However, before the full potential of these cells is achieved, major basic biological questions need to be addressed. In particular, there are still gaps in our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying the derivation of hESCs from blastocysts, the regulation of the undifferentiated, pluripotent state, and the control of differentiation into specific lineages. Furthermore, we still do not fully understand the tumorigenic potential of hESCs, limiting their use in regenerative medicine. The RB pathway is a key signaling module that controls cellular proliferation, cell survival, chromatin structure, and cellular differentiation in mammalian cells. Members of the RB pathway are important regulators of hESC biology and manipulation of the activity of this pathway may provide novel means to control the fate of hESCs. Here we review what is known about the expression and function of members of the RB pathway in hESCs and discuss areas of interest in this field. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 1023–1030, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.