Dividing Cellular Asymmetry: Asymmetric Cell Division and Its Implications for Stem Cells and Cancer

Overview

Journal Genes Dev

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2009 Dec 3

PMID 19952104

Citations 205

Authors

Ralph A Neumuller

Juergen A Knoblich

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cell division is commonly thought to involve the equal distribution of cellular components into the two daughter cells. During many cell divisions, however, proteins, membrane compartments, organelles, or even DNA are asymmetrically distributed between the two daughter cells. Here, we review the various types of asymmetries that have been described in yeast and in animal cells. Asymmetric segregation of protein determinants is particularly relevant for stem cell biology. We summarize the relevance of asymmetric cell divisions in various stem cell systems and discuss why defects in asymmetric cell division can lead to the formation of tumors.

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