Cellular and molecular mechanisms of asymmetric stem cell division in tissue homeostasis

• Published in: Genes to cells : devoted to molecular & cellular mechanisms Vol. 29; no. 12; pp. 1099 - 1110
• Main Author: Bolkent, Sema
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.12.2024; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Animals; asymmetric cell division; Asymmetric Cell Division - physiology; Carcinogenesis; Cell Differentiation; Cell division; Cell fate; Cell Polarity; diseases; Embryogenesis; Epigenetics; fate determinants; Gene expression; Homeostasis; Humans; Localization; Mitosis; molecular mechanisms; Molecular modelling; Organelles; Review; Signal Transduction; stem cell; Stem cells; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - metabolism; asymmetric cell division; diseases; molecular mechanisms; stem cell; fate determinants
• ISSN: 1356-9597; 1365-2443; 1365-2443
• DOI: 10.1111/gtc.13172

The asymmetric cell division determines cell diversity and distinct sibling cell fates by mechanisms linked to mitosis. Many adult stem cells divide asymmetrically to balance self‐renewal and differentiation. The process of asymmetric cell division involves an axis of polarity and, second, the localization of cell fate determinants at the cell poles. Asymmetric division of stem cells is achieved by intrinsic and extrinsic fate determinants such as signaling molecules, epigenetics factors, molecules regulating gene expression, and polarized organelles. At least some stem cells perform asymmetric and symmetric cell divisions during development. Asymmetric division ensures that the number of stem cells remains constant throughout life. The asymmetric division of stem cells plays an important role in biological events such as embryogenesis, tissue regeneration and carcinogenesis. This review summarizes recent advances in the regulation of asymmetric stem cell division in model organisms. Asymmetric cell division, which balances self‐renewal and differentiation of stem cells, plays an important role in tissue homeostasis. Asymmetric division of cancer stem cells, called tumor‐initiating cells, is closely associated with tumor formation. Further understanding of asymmetric stem cell division will contribute to the development of novel therapies.