Transcription factor may be key to understanding stem cells’ uniqueness

July 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Brown University researchers have discovered that a transcription factor may be behind stem cells’ pluripotency quality.  Researchers were able to see that different transcription factors compete and cooperate in the cells.  This can play a key role in how stem cells differentiate into various tissues.

In the field of molecular biology, a transcription factor is a protein that binds to specific DNA sequences and thereby controls the transfer (or transcription) of genetic information between cells.

Dr. Fairbrother states that most people think that the protein binding to DNA as a single surgical thing will have this isolated binding event, but in fact, sometimes these binding events occur over a hundreds of nucleotides.

Brown University researcher William Fairbrother and colleagues published their findings in the online journal Genome Research.  Their discovery of these molecular interactions may help researchers better understand stem cell pluripotency.

Dr. Dennis Lox, a physical and regenerative medicine specialist in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, comments that as new information on stem cells continues to emerge, their pluripotency ability is being looked at closely, including cell signaling and the role of the growth factors.  

“We are at an interesting phase in stem cell research, in that some of the unknowns are becoming answered,” said Dr. Lox.  “This is an exciting frontier in medicine – one that offers great potential in treating a variety of diseases and conditions.”


http://www.DrLox.com

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Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Since 1990, he has used sports medicine techiques and cutting-edge technology to help heal musculoskeletal injuries and relieve pain.