Featured
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Article |
Somatic coding mutations in human induced pluripotent stem cells
Reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells that can be differentiated into many cell types has great potential for personalized therapy. This study finds that 22 human iPS cell lines that were reprogrammed using five different methods contain protein coding point mutations. Some mutations were pre existing in the somatic cells, others were new mutations that occurred during and after reprogramming. Therefore, it will be important to ensure iPS cell safety before clinical use.
- Athurva Gore
- , Zhe Li
- & Kun Zhang
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Books & Arts |
Books in brief
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Letter |
Fat cells reactivate quiescent neuroblasts via TOR and glial insulin relays in Drosophila
Little is known about how nutritional cues are detected by quiescent neural stem cells (neuroblasts in Drosophila melanogaster) and how these signals are relayed to reactivate their cell cycle to exit quiescence. This study uses an integrative physiology approach to identify the relay mechanism regulating this nutritional checkpoint in neural progenitors. It is found that specific insulin-like peptides produced within the brain by glia bridge the amino-acid/TOR-dependent signal derived from the fat body with PI3K/TOR signalling in neuroblasts to induce exit from quiescent.
- Rita Sousa-Nunes
- , Lih Ling Yee
- & Alex P. Gould
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Letter |
Recapitulation of premature ageing with iPSCs from Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome
- Guang-Hui Liu
- , Basam Z. Barkho
- & Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte
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Research Highlights |
The way to a beating heart
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Letter |
Tbx6-dependent Sox2 regulation determines neural or mesodermal fate in axial stem cells
A common stem cell is known to produce both neural plate and mesoderm, but the factors regulating this choice are unknown. This study determines that Tbx6-dependent modulation of the developmental transcription factor Sox2 drives the fate of axial stem cells. In the absence of Tbx6, cells aberrantly upregulated Sox2 activity, with the result that cells originally destined to be mesoderm turned into ectopic neural tubes. In the absence of the N1 enhancer, this aberrant regulation is corrected and cells follow the appropriate fate, even in the absence of Tbx6. Therefore, active repression of the neural fate program is essential for mesoderm tissue to develop from axial stem cells.
- Tatsuya Takemoto
- , Masanori Uchikawa
- & Hisato Kondoh
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News |
Mutant stem cells can cause skin cancer at cuts
Cells meant to fix injuries can trigger tumours in cancer-prone mice.
- Erika Check Hayden
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News |
Flaw in induced-stem-cell model
Adult cells do not fully convert to embryonic-like state.
- Elie Dolgin
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Research Highlights |
Robo protein guide for cell transplants
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News |
France mulls embryo research reform
Scientists and clinicians push for a clearer, more permissive law on human embryonic stem-cell work.
- Declan Butler
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Letter |
A unique chromatin signature uncovers early developmental enhancers in humans
Identifying the genomic regulatory sequences, such as enhancers, that control early embryonic development remains a difficult challenge. Here, profiling of histone modifications and chromatin regulators in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) reveals unique signatures that are used to identify over 2,000 putative enhancers. These enhancers are either active in the h ESCs or associated with early developmental genes.
- Alvaro Rada-Iglesias
- , Ruchi Bajpai
- & Joanna Wysocka
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News |
Human intestinal tissue grown in the lab
The technique could be used to study disease and tailor therapies.
- Janelle Weaver
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Letter |
Directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into intestinal tissue in vitro
Using a temporal series of growth factor manipulations to mimic embryonic intestinal development in culture, this study has successfully directed the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells) into intestinal tissue. This approach may provide therapeutic benefit for disease studies.
- Jason R. Spence
- , Christopher N. Mayhew
- & James M. Wells
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News & Views |
Tumour stem cells switch sides
Tumour stem cells are proposed to be the source of tumour cells. It now emerges that they also give rise to the endothelial cells that line the tumour vasculature, mediating tumour growth and metastasis. See Letters p.824 & p.829
- Victoria L. Bautch
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Research Highlights |
Stem cells: Platelets get a boost
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News & Views |
The blood balance
Blood cells are generated from haematopoietic stem cells on demand. The protein Lkb1, which lies at the crossroad of energy metabolism and cell growth, seems to regulate these stem cells' dynamics. See Articles p.653, p.659 & Letter p.701
- Ellen M. Durand
- & Leonard I. Zon
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Letter |
Lkb1 regulates quiescence and metabolic homeostasis of haematopoietic stem cells
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are very sensitive to energetic and oxidative stress, and modulation of the balance between their quiescence and proliferation is needed to respond to metabolic stress while preserving HSCs' long-term regenerative capacity. Here, and in two accompanying studies, it is shown that the tumour suppressor Lkb1 has a crucial role in maintaining energy homeostasis in haematopoietic cells.
- Boyi Gan
- , Jian Hu
- & Ronald A. DePinho
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Article |
Lkb1 regulates cell cycle and energy metabolism in haematopoietic stem cells
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are very sensitive to energetic and oxidative stress, and modulation of the balance between their quiescence and proliferation is needed to respond to metabolic stress while preserving HSCs' long-term regenerative capacity. Here the tumour suppressor Lkb1 is shown to promote stem-cell maintenance and tissue regeneration by regulating energy metabolism and by preventing aneuploidy.
- Daisuke Nakada
- , Thomas L. Saunders
- & Sean J. Morrison
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Article |
The Lkb1 metabolic sensor maintains haematopoietic stem cell survival
Haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are very sensitive to energetic and oxidative stress, and modulation of the balance between their quiescence and proliferation is needed to respond to metabolic stress while preserving HSCs' long term regenerative capacity. Here the tumour suppressor Lkb1 is shown to have a crucial role in maintaining energy homeostasis in haematopoietic cells — an effect largely independent of AMPK and mTOR signalling.
- Sushma Gurumurthy
- , Stephanie Z. Xie
- & Nabeel Bardeesy
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Letter |
Paneth cells constitute the niche for Lgr5 stem cells in intestinal crypts
Multipotent stem cells expressing Lgr5 are known to generate all cell types of the intestinal epithelium (enterocytes, goblet cells, Paneth cells and enteroendocrine cells). A new study shows that Paneth cells have an essential role for intestinal crypt and stem cell maintenance by supplying essential niche signals to the Lgr5-expressing cells.
- Toshiro Sato
- , Johan H. van Es
- & Hans Clevers
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Letter |
Telomerase reactivation reverses tissue degeneration in aged telomerase-deficient mice
Here it is shown that reactivation of endogenous telomerase activity in mice extends telomeres, reduces DNA damage signalling, allows resumption of proliferation in quiescent cultures, and eliminates degenerative phenotypes across multiple organs including testes, spleens and intestines. Accumulating evidence implicating telomere damage as a driver of age-associated organ decline and disease and the reversal of damage observed here support the development of regenerative strategies designed to restore telomere integrity.
- Mariela Jaskelioff
- , Florian L. Muller
- & Ronald A. DePinho
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Research Highlights |
Developmental biology: Blood-vessel cells turn to bone
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News & Views |
Excessive mobility interrupted
Mobile DNA sequences called L1 contribute to the brain's genetic heterogeneity and may affect neuron function. The protein MeCP2, which is mutated in Rett syndrome, seems to regulate the activity of these genomic elements. See Letter p.443
- Lorenz Studer
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Letter |
Molecular coupling of Tsix regulation and pluripotency
Reprogramming of X-chromosome inactivation during the acquisition of pluripotency is accompanied by repression of Xist, the trigger of X-inactivation, and by upregulation of its antisense counterpart, Tsix. In undifferentiated embryonic stem cells (ESCs), key transcription factors that support pluripotency repress Xist transcription. These authors show that upregulation of Tsix in ESCs depends on a different subset of pluripotency factors. Therefore, two distinct ESC-specific complexes couple reprogramming of X-inactivation to pluripotency.
- Pablo Navarro
- , Andrew Oldfield
- & Philip Avner
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Letter |
Inductive angiocrine signals from sinusoidal endothelium are required for liver regeneration
These authors describe a molecular pathway by which endothelial cells sustain liver regeneration after surgical resection. Activation of vascular endothelial growth factor-A receptor-2 in a defined subpopulation of liver endothelial cells leads to the upregulation of the endothelial-specific transcription factor Id1, which in turn induces Wnt2 and hepatocyte growth factor, which are secreted from the endothelial cells and trigger hepatocyte proliferation.
- Bi-Sen Ding
- , Daniel J. Nolan
- & Shahin Rafii
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Article |
Direct conversion of human fibroblasts to multilineage blood progenitors
Mouse fibroblasts expressing a small subset of transcription factors can be induced to differentiate towards specified lineages without reverting to an embryonic state. Now direct conversion of dermal fibroblasts to multipotent blood progenitors has been achieved in vitro in the human, using just one factor.
- Eva Szabo
- , Shravanti Rampalli
- & Mickie Bhatia
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News & Views |
The intestinal–crypt casino
Stem cells can renew themselves indefinitely — a feature that is often attributed to asymmetrical cell division. Fresh experimental and mathematical models of the intestine provide evidence that begs to differ.
- Michael P. Verzi
- & Ramesh A. Shivdasani
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Letter |
Maternal Rnf12/RLIM is required for imprinted X-chromosome inactivation in mice
Two forms of X-chromosome inactivation ensure the selective silencing of female sex chromosomes in mouse embryos. Imprinted silencing begins with the detection of Xist RNA expression on the paternal X chromosome at about the four-cell stage of development. Later, a random form of inactivation silences either the paternal or the maternal X chromosome. Here it is shown that maternal deposits of the ubiquitin ligase Rnf12/RLIM are required for the imprinted form of X-chromosome inactivation.
- JongDae Shin
- , Michael Bossenz
- & Ingolf Bach
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Letter |
A genome-wide RNAi screen reveals determinants of human embryonic stem cell identity
Realizing the full potential of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in research and clinical applications requires a detailed understanding of the genetic network that governs their unique properties. A genome-wide RNA interference screen identifies a wealth of new regulators of self-renewal and pluripotency properties in hESCs. The transcription factor PRDM14, for example, is required for the maintenance of hESC identity and reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotency.
- Na-Yu Chia
- , Yun-Shen Chan
- & Huck-Hui Ng
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News |
Stem-cell papers under suspicion
Duplicate plots may be at issue in a retracted stem-cell study.
- Alla Katsnelson
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Research Highlights |
Stem cells: Reprogramming cells with RNA
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News |
Stem cells: A legal round table
Our expert panel examines the recent stem cell injunction from all angles.
- Meredith Wadman
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Research Highlights |
Regenerative biology: Rat pancreas for mice
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News & Views |
The coherent Mediator
Enhancer sequences increase gene transcription with the help of a co-activator complex, the Mediator. Another protein complex — cohesin — seems to work with Mediator to bring together enhancers and promoters. See Article p. 430
- Rolf Ohlsson
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Books & Arts |
Secrets of a long life
Two books on ageing understate the challenges of prolonging a healthy lifespan, finds Caleb Finch.
- Caleb Finch
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News & Views |
Troublesome memories
Methods for generating embryonic-like stem cells have been established. The focus now is on finding ways to coax these cells into matching their natural counterparts as closely as possible, should this be desired.
- Thomas P. Zwaka
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Brief Communications Arising |
Singh et al. reply
- Sanjay K. Singh
- , Mohamedi N. Kagalwala
- & Sadhan Majumder
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Brief Communications Arising |
Can controversies be put to REST?
- Helle F. Jørgensen
- & Amanda G. Fisher
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Article |
Neurotrophin receptors TrkA and TrkC cause neuronal death whereas TrkB does not
Neurons of the peripheral nervous system need survival factors to prevent their death during development. Most in the central nervous system do not. Why are peripheral neurons so needy? Here it is shown that the neurotrophin receptors TrkA and TrkC, expressed at high levels by many peripheral nervous system neurons, behave as dependence receptors: they instruct neurons to die if there is no ligand around. By contrast, TrkB, expressed mainly in the central nervous system, does not signal death in the absence of ligand.
- Vassiliki Nikoletopoulou
- , Heiko Lickert
- & Yves-Alain Barde
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Letter |
Role of Tet proteins in 5mC to 5hmC conversion, ES-cell self-renewal and inner cell mass specification
TET1 is an enzyme that catalyses the conversion of 5-methylcytosine of DNA to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, raising the possibility that it is involved in mediating DNA demethylation. These authors show that Tet1 is involved in mouse embryonic stem cell maintenance and specification of the inner cell mass. It is required to maintain both the expression of Nanog in embryonic stem cells and the Nanog promoter in a hypomethylated state, supporting a role for Tet1 in regulating DNA methylation.
- Shinsuke Ito
- , Ana C. D’Alessio
- & Yi Zhang
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Technology Feature |
A long-term live-cell commitment
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Technology Feature |
Taking a long, hard look
Long-term, live-cell imaging helps to settle long-running debates. Monya Baker investigates how the huge investment and time commitment is finally paying off.
- Monya Baker
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Letter |
Microenvironmental reprogramming of thymic epithelial cells to skin multipotent stem cells
The thymus contains thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which form a complex three-dimensional network organized into cortical and medullary compartments. It is shown here that these cells are plastic. Clonogenic TECs can acquire new properties when exposed to the skin microenvironment; under such conditions, they can permanently adopt the fate of hair follicle multipotent stem cells. Hence, microenvironmental cues can be sufficient to re-direct epithelial cell fate.
- Paola Bonfanti
- , Stéphanie Claudinot
- & Yann Barrandon
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Article |
Mediator and cohesin connect gene expression and chromatin architecture
Gene activation may involve the formation of a DNA loop that connects enhancer-bound transcription factors with the transcription apparatus at the core promoter. But this process is not well understood. Here, two proteins, mediator and cohesin, are shown to connect the enhancers and core promoters of active genes in embryonic stem cells. These proteins seem to generate cell-type-specific DNA loops linked to the gene expression program of each cell.
- Michael H. Kagey
- , Jamie J. Newman
- & Richard A. Young
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Letter |
Comprehensive methylome map of lineage commitment from haematopoietic progenitors
During haematopoiesis, multipotent progenitors differentiate into progressively restricted myeloid or lymphoid progenitors. A comprehensive genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of haematopoietic cell populations with well-characterized differentiation potentials reveals remarkable epigenetic plasticity during lymphoid and myeloid restriction.
- Hong Ji
- , Lauren I. R. Ehrlich
- & Andrew P. Feinberg
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Article |
Mesenchymal and haematopoietic stem cells form a unique bone marrow niche
The identity of the cells that form the haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) niche in bone marrow has been unclear. These authors identify nestin-expressing mesenchymal stem cells as niche-forming cells. These nestin-expressing cells show a close physical association with HSCs and express high levels of genes involved in HSC maintenance, and their depletion reduces bone marrow homing of haematopoietic progenitors.
- SimĂłn MĂ©ndez-Ferrer
- , Tatyana V. Michurina
- & Paul S. Frenette
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- Adult stem cells
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