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

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 stron...