Stem cells and cancer; the polycomb connection

Cell. 2004 Aug 20;118(4):409-18. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2004.08.005.

Abstract

Proteins from the Polycomb group (PcG) are epigenetic chromatin modifiers involved in cancer development and also in the maintenance of embryonic and adult stem cells. The therapeutic potential of stem cells and the growing conviction that tumors contain stem cells highlights the importance of understanding the extrinsic and intrinsic circuitry controlling stem cell fate and their connections to cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line
  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism
  • Drosophila
  • Embryo, Mammalian / cytology
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • BMI1 protein, human
  • Chromatin
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Polycomb-Group Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 1