Genes Identified as Unique to Specialized Colon Cells

Researchers at University of California, San Francisco found nearly a thousand genes that are expressed differently in different parts of the colon. The colon is constantly renewed via its own stem cells and understanding how these genes are expressed differently as the cells specialize will help understand what happens when this goes wrong as in colon cancer.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: September 25, 2007
CIRM-funded author: Cynthia Kosinski (T1-00002)

Related Information: UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine

Proteins Found that Guide Neuron Migration in Brain

Researchers at UC, San Francisco discovered that membrane proteins that form cell to cell connections also have an important role in controlling how neurons migrate in the brain. Understanding neuronal migration is a critical aspect of cell therapy in the nervous system, as replacement cells will need to be directed to their appropriate site of action. This research project is also an example of how funding work in one field moves along work in another. The membrane proteins highlighted in this report had previously been identified in some cancers, and these new observations in neurons provide rationale for targeting them in cancer therapy.

Nature: August 23, 2007
CIRM funding: Laura Elias (T1-00002)

Related Information: Press release, UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine

Genes Found that Characterize Embryonic Stem Cells

Researchers at UC, San Francisco identified a group of genes that are active in embryonic stem cells but not in more differentiated cells. They also developed a technique to find DNA regions that could be important for activating these genes, and identified a factor that directs the production of proteins from genes that contain these regulatory DNA regions. These studies will greatly inform research efforts that rely on maintaining a stem cell's ability to proliferate and to generate the many different cell types in a human body.

PLoS Genetics: August 2007
CIRM funding: Marcia Grskovic (T1-00002)

Related Information: UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine

Key Protein Involved in Forming Nuclear Membrane after Division Found

Researchers at UC, San Diego found the function of a key protein involved in the cell cycle, the process by which a cell duplicates all its genes and divides. The protein is critical to the assembly of the membrane around the cell's nucleus. A fundamental understanding of the cell cycle is integral to advancing all cell-based therapies.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: April 17, 2007
CIRM funding: Youngjun Kim (T1-00003)

Related Information: UCSD Stem Cell Initiative

Genetic Factors Found to Regulate Embryonic Stem Cell Maturation

Researchers at UC, San Francisco identified a molecule that regulates differentiation of embryonic stem cells. In some cases, small molecules of the genetic material RNA have the ability to turn genes on and off rather than carrying out the normal RNA function of coding for proteins. These small RNAs, called micro RNA or miRNA, are thought to be one way the cell regulates genes that control how stem cells differentiate into mature cell types. In this study, the researchers created genetically altered mouse embryonic stem cells that lack the miRNA DGCR8. These cells did not respond properly to signals that would normally cause stem cells to differentiate into mature cell types. Even after the cells began differentiating they continued making proteins that are normally only found in embryonic stem cells. This work shows that miRNAs are key molecules to target for controlling ES cell differentiation, which is essential for developing safe protocols for stem cell-based therapies.

Nature Genetics: March, 2007
CIRM funding: Yanging Wang (T1-00002)

Related Information: UCSF Institute for Regeneration Medicine