Runx Family Genes in Tissue Stem Cell Dynamics

• Published in: Advances in experimental medicine and biology Vol. 962; pp. 117 - 138
• Main Authors: Wang, Chelsia Qiuxia, Mok, Michelle Meng Huang, Yokomizo, Tomomasa, Tergaonkar, Vinay, Osato, Motomi
• Format: Book Chapter Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Singapore 2017
• Series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
• Subjects: Aging; Animals; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Differentiation - physiology; Conditional knockout mice; Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits - genetics; Core Binding Factor alpha Subunits - metabolism; DNA damage repair; Epithelium - metabolism; Fetal liver; Hair Follicle - metabolism; Hair Follicle - physiology; Hair follicle stem cell; Hematopoietic stem cell; Hmga2; Humans; Leukemia; Niche; Perinatal; Runx; Skin - metabolism; Skin - physiopathology; Skin cancer; Stem Cells - metabolism; Stem Cells - physiology; Fetal liver; DNA damage repair; Hematopoietic stem cell; Hair follicle stem cell; Leukemia; Aging; Perinatal; Niche; Hmga2; Runx; Conditional knockout mice; Skin cancer
• ISBN: 9789811032318; 9811032319
• ISSN: 0065-2598; 2214-8019
• DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3233-2_9

The Runx family genes playRunx Family important roles in development and cancer, largely via their regulation of tissue stem cell behavior. Their involvement in two organs, blood and skin, is well documented. This review summarizes currently known Runx functions in the stem cells of these tissues. The fundamental core mechanism(s) mediatedWang, C.Q.Mok, M.M.H.Yokomizo, T.Tergaonkar, V.Osato, M. by Runx proteins has been sought; however, it appears that there does not exist one single common machinery that governs both tissue stem cells. Instead, Runx family genes employ multiple spatiotemporal mechanisms in regulating individual tissue stem cell populations. Such specific Runx requirements have been unveiled by a series of cell type-, developmental stage- or age-specific gene targeting studies in mice. Observations from these experiments revealed that the regulation of stem cells by Runx family genes turned out to be far more complex than previously thought. For instance, although it has been reported that Runx1 is required for the endothelial-to-hematopoietic cell transition (EHT) but not thereafter, recent studies clearly demonstrated that Runx1 is also needed during the period subsequent to EHT, namely at perinatal stage. In addition, Runx1 ablation in the embryonic skin mesenchyme eventually leads to complete loss of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in the adult epithelium, suggesting that Runx1 facilitates the specification of skin epithelial stem cells in a cell extrinsic manner. Further in-depth investigation into how Runx family genes are involved inRunx Family stem cell regulation is warranted.