The Hair Follicle Stem Cell Niche and the Function of the Rac1 Protein Within the Niche.
The Hair Follicle Stem Cell Niche and the Function of the Rac1 protein within the niche.
Abstract:
An adult stem cell’s niche is responsible for the preservation of the stem cell’s undifferentiated state through either intrinsic or extrinsic expression of specific proteins (Scadden, 2006). Situated in the bulge of the hair follicle, hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) are quiescent in nature and are responsible for not only its self renewal but also in the production of rapidly proliferating cells. These cells are known as transient amplifying cells and are formed through the differentiation of HFSCs (Dotto & Cotsarelis, 2005). This paper will seek to examine a specific protein within the HFSC known as Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 recombinant protein (Rac 1). Through intrinsic expression, Rac1 – a small GTP protein is crucial for the maintenance and the proliferating HFSCs. Through increasing evidence, scientists have accredited this to the negative regulation of c-myc protein via phophorylation. The paper will discuss two experiments conducted that exhibit the function of Rac1. Through further analysis of the Rac1 pathway, scientists see a potential to use the findings from this pathway in order to generate medication and curative therapy for growing epidemics.
Introduction:
Stem cells are characterized by their lack of specialization, self regeneration, and ability to produce a significant quantity of differentiated cells. These cells can be categorized into either embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells (Scadden, 2006). While embryonic stem are specifically pluripotent and arise from the inner walls of blastocysts, adult stem cells can be further segregated into germ line stem cells and somatic stem cells. Both divisions within the adult stem cells may have properties of either pluripotency or unipotency (Li, L. & Xie, T., 2005). The rate at which proliferation occurs and the maintenance of the adult stem cell’s identity is
Abstract:
An adult stem cell’s niche is responsible for the preservation of the stem cell’s undifferentiated state through either intrinsic or extrinsic expression of specific proteins (Scadden, 2006). Situated in the bulge of the hair follicle, hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) are quiescent in nature and are responsible for not only its self renewal but also in the production of rapidly proliferating cells. These cells are known as transient amplifying cells and are formed through the differentiation of HFSCs (Dotto & Cotsarelis, 2005). This paper will seek to examine a specific protein within the HFSC known as Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 recombinant protein (Rac 1). Through intrinsic expression, Rac1 – a small GTP protein is crucial for the maintenance and the proliferating HFSCs. Through increasing evidence, scientists have accredited this to the negative regulation of c-myc protein via phophorylation. The paper will discuss two experiments conducted that exhibit the function of Rac1. Through further analysis of the Rac1 pathway, scientists see a potential to use the findings from this pathway in order to generate medication and curative therapy for growing epidemics.
Introduction:
Stem cells are characterized by their lack of specialization, self regeneration, and ability to produce a significant quantity of differentiated cells. These cells can be categorized into either embryonic stem cells or adult stem cells (Scadden, 2006). While embryonic stem are specifically pluripotent and arise from the inner walls of blastocysts, adult stem cells can be further segregated into germ line stem cells and somatic stem cells. Both divisions within the adult stem cells may have properties of either pluripotency or unipotency (Li, L. & Xie, T., 2005). The rate at which proliferation occurs and the maintenance of the adult stem cell’s identity is
Bibliography: Li, L. & Xie, T. (2005). Stem cell niche: structure and function. Annual Review of Cell Developmental Biology, 21, 605-631. Retrieved from: http://biochem118.stanford.edu/Papers/Stem%20Cell/annurev%20Stem%20Cell%20Niche.pdf Li et al Scadden, D. (2006). The stem-cell niche is an entity of action. Nature, 441, 1075-1079. Retrieved from: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v441/n7097/full/nature04957.html