Susanne J Kühl1, Michael Kühl. 1. Institute for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Stem cells are mainly characterized by two properties: self-renewal and the potency to differentiate into diverse cell types. These processes are regulated by different growth factors including members of the Wnt protein family. Wnt proteins are secreted glycoproteins that can activate different intracellular signaling pathways. SCOPE OF REVIEW: Here we summarize our current knowledge on the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with respect to these two main features of stem cells. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: A particular focus is given on the function of Wnt signaling in embryonic stem cells. Wnt signaling can also improve reprogramming of somatic cells towards iPS cells highlighting the importance of this pathway for self-renewal and pluripotency. As an example for the role of Wnt signaling in adult stem cell behavior, we furthermore focus on intestinal stem cells located in the crypts of the small intestine. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: A broad knowledge about stem cell properties and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on these processes is a requirement for the use of these cells in regenerative medicine in the future or to understand cancer development in the adult. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemistry of Stem Cells.
BACKGROUND: Stem cells are mainly characterized by two properties: self-renewal and the potency to differentiate into diverse cell types. These processes are regulated by different growth factors including members of the Wnt protein family. Wnt proteins are secreted glycoproteins that can activate different intracellular signaling pathways. SCOPE OF REVIEW: Here we summarize our current knowledge on the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling with respect to these two main features of stem cells. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: A particular focus is given on the function of Wnt signaling in embryonic stem cells. Wnt signaling can also improve reprogramming of somatic cells towards iPS cells highlighting the importance of this pathway for self-renewal and pluripotency. As an example for the role of Wnt signaling in adult stem cell behavior, we furthermore focus on intestinal stem cells located in the crypts of the small intestine. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: A broad knowledge about stem cell properties and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on these processes is a requirement for the use of these cells in regenerative medicine in the future or to understand cancer development in the adult. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Biochemistry of Stem Cells.
Authors: Mark A Feitelson; Alla Arzumanyan; Rob J Kulathinal; Stacy W Blain; Randall F Holcombe; Jamal Mahajna; Maria Marino; Maria L Martinez-Chantar; Roman Nawroth; Isidro Sanchez-Garcia; Dipali Sharma; Neeraj K Saxena; Neetu Singh; Panagiotis J Vlachostergios; Shanchun Guo; Kanya Honoki; Hiromasa Fujii; Alexandros G Georgakilas; Alan Bilsland; Amedeo Amedei; Elena Niccolai; Amr Amin; S Salman Ashraf; Chandra S Boosani; Gunjan Guha; Maria Rosa Ciriolo; Katia Aquilano; Sophie Chen; Sulma I Mohammed; Asfar S Azmi; Dipita Bhakta; Dorota Halicka; W Nicol Keith; Somaira Nowsheen Journal: Semin Cancer Biol Date: 2015-04-17 Impact factor: 15.707