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Translational control of stem cell function

Translational control of stem cell function
Translational control of stem cell function

Stem cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate into many different cell types. Research has focused primarily on how these processes are regulated at a transcriptional level. However, recent studies have indicated that stem cell behaviour is strongly coupled to the regulation of protein synthesis by the ribosome. In this Review, we discuss how different translation mechanisms control the function of adult and embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are characterized by low global translation rates despite high levels of ribosome biogenesis. The maintenance of pluripotency, the commitment to a specific cell fate and the switch to cell differentiation depend on the tight regulation of protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis. Translation regulatory mechanisms that impact on stem cell function include mTOR signalling, ribosome levels, and mRNA and tRNA features and amounts. Understanding these mechanisms important for stem cell self-renewal and differentiation may also guide our understanding of cancer grade and metastasis.

Animals, Humans, Neoplasms/metabolism, Protein Biosynthesis/physiology, RNA, Messenger/metabolism, RNA, Transfer/metabolism, Ribosomes/metabolism, Signal Transduction, Stem Cells/cytology, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism
1471-0072
671-690
Saba, James A.
2a87ef0d-7988-4900-a8dc-4e6e400ef876
Liakath-Ali, Kifayathullah
8d5a020c-e976-4901-9195-68f4bc0de74e
Green, Rachel
8d46c5b8-1308-4f8f-b9ee-2eb232bc72aa
Watt, Fiona M.
24fff937-94b0-4127-8cbb-e8bd6e01fa29
Saba, James A.
2a87ef0d-7988-4900-a8dc-4e6e400ef876
Liakath-Ali, Kifayathullah
8d5a020c-e976-4901-9195-68f4bc0de74e
Green, Rachel
8d46c5b8-1308-4f8f-b9ee-2eb232bc72aa
Watt, Fiona M.
24fff937-94b0-4127-8cbb-e8bd6e01fa29

Saba, James A., Liakath-Ali, Kifayathullah, Green, Rachel and Watt, Fiona M. (2021) Translational control of stem cell function. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 22 (10), 671-690. (doi:10.1038/s41580-021-00386-2).

Record type: Review

Abstract

Stem cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and differentiate into many different cell types. Research has focused primarily on how these processes are regulated at a transcriptional level. However, recent studies have indicated that stem cell behaviour is strongly coupled to the regulation of protein synthesis by the ribosome. In this Review, we discuss how different translation mechanisms control the function of adult and embryonic stem cells. Stem cells are characterized by low global translation rates despite high levels of ribosome biogenesis. The maintenance of pluripotency, the commitment to a specific cell fate and the switch to cell differentiation depend on the tight regulation of protein synthesis and ribosome biogenesis. Translation regulatory mechanisms that impact on stem cell function include mTOR signalling, ribosome levels, and mRNA and tRNA features and amounts. Understanding these mechanisms important for stem cell self-renewal and differentiation may also guide our understanding of cancer grade and metastasis.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 16 July 2021
Published date: October 2021
Keywords: Animals, Humans, Neoplasms/metabolism, Protein Biosynthesis/physiology, RNA, Messenger/metabolism, RNA, Transfer/metabolism, Ribosomes/metabolism, Signal Transduction, Stem Cells/cytology, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 491525
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/491525
ISSN: 1471-0072
PURE UUID: 3e914749-ac91-4bcb-a636-4ee9c1f4aab9
ORCID for Kifayathullah Liakath-Ali: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-9047-7424

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Date deposited: 25 Jun 2024 17:00
Last modified: 26 Jun 2024 02:11

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Contributors

Author: James A. Saba
Author: Kifayathullah Liakath-Ali ORCID iD
Author: Rachel Green
Author: Fiona M. Watt

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