Wnt pathway regulation of embryonic stem cell self-renewal

• Published in: Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in biology Vol. 4; no. 9; p. a007971
• Main Author: Merrill, Bradley J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Animals; beta Catenin - metabolism; beta Catenin - physiology; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Differentiation; Embryonic Stem Cells - cytology; Embryonic Stem Cells - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Mice; Models, Genetic; Pluripotent Stem Cells - cytology; Pluripotent Stem Cells - metabolism; Signal Transduction - physiology; Transcription Factors - metabolism; Transcription Factors - physiology; Wnt Proteins - genetics; Wnt Proteins - metabolism; Wnt Proteins - physiology
• ISSN: 1943-0264; 1943-0264
• DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a007971

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can generate all of the cell types found in the adult organism. Remarkably, they retain this ability even after many cell divisions in vitro, as long as the culture conditions prevent differentiation of the cells. Wnt signaling and β-catenin have been shown to cause strong effects on ESCs both in terms of stimulating the expansion of stem cells and stimulating differentiation toward lineage committed cell types. The varied effects of Wnt signaling in ESCs, alongside the sometimes unconventional mechanisms underlying the effects, have generated a fair amount of controversy and intrigue regarding the role of Wnt signaling in pluripotent stem cells. Insights into the mechanisms of Wnt function in stem cells can be gained by examination of the causes for seemingly opposing effects of Wnt signaling on self-renewal versus differentiation.