Abstract
Stem cells have two common properties: the capacity for self-renewal and the potential to differentiate into one or more specialized cell types. In general, stem cells can be divided into two broad categories: adult (somatic) stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Recent evidence suggested that tumors may contain "cancer stem cells" with indefinite potential for self-renewal. In this review, we will focus on the molecular mechanisms regulating embryonic stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, and discuss how these mechanisms may be relevant in cancer cells.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 709-718 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Journal of cellular biochemistry |
| Volume | 103 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 15 2008 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Embryonic stem cells
- Pluripotency
- Self-renewal
- Stem cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology