Embryonic stem cell-specific signatures in cancer: insights into genomic regulatory networks and implications for medicine

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are of great interest as a model system for studying early developmental processes and because of their potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine. Obtaining a systematic understanding of the mechanisms that control the 'stemness' - self-renewal and pluripotency - of ES cells relies on high-throughput tools to define gene expression and regulatory networks at the genome level. Such recently developed systems biology approaches have revealed highly interconnected networks in which multiple regulatory factors act in combination. Interestingly, stem cells and cancer cells share some properties, notably self-renewal and a block in differentiation. Recently, several groups reported that expression signatures that are specific to ES cells are also found in many human cancers and in mouse cancer models, suggesting that these shared features might inform new approaches for cancer therapy. Here, we briefly summarize the key transcriptional regulators that contribute to the pluripotency of ES cells, the factors that account for the common gene expression patterns of ES and cancer cells, and the implications of these observations for future clinical applications.Institute for Cellular and Molecular [email protected]

Unraveling the Transcriptional Network Controlling ES Cell Pluripotency

Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are powerful tools for genetic engineering and hold significant potential for regenerative medicine. Recent work provides new insights into ES cell pluripotency and delineates separate transcriptional pathways in ES cells for maintenance of the undifferentiated state and for self-renewal

Embryonic stem cell-specific signatures in cancer: insights into genomic regulatory networks and implications for medicine

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are of great interest as a model system for studying early developmental processes and because of their potential therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine. Obtaining a systematic understanding of the mechanisms that control the 'stemness' - self-renewal and pluripotency - of ES cells relies on high-throughput tools to define gene expression and regulatory networks at the genome level. Such recently developed systems biology approaches have revealed highly interconnected networks in which multiple regulatory factors act in combination. Interestingly, stem cells and cancer cells share some properties, notably self-renewal and a block in differentiation. Recently, several groups reported that expression signatures that are specific to ES cells are also found in many human cancers and in mouse cancer models, suggesting that these shared features might inform new approaches for cancer therapy. Here, we briefly summarize the key transcriptional regulators that contribute to the pluripotency of ES cells, the factors that account for the common gene expression patterns of ES and cancer cells, and the implications of these observations for future clinical applications

Musings on genome medicine: cholesterol and coronary artery disease

Cholesterol levels and not inflammatory markers are the major variables that pose a risk of coronary artery disease. Diabetes greatly increases the risk at any cholesterol level. Coronary artery disease and cancer are linked by a common protein - an apoptotic protein that also functions as a regulator of insulin secretion

Musings on genome medicine: abuse of genetic tests

The wide general publication of a putative genetic test for athletic supremacy is clearly an abuse of genetics and reveals an undercurrent of hucksterism in biomedical science

Networking erythropoiesis

Recent findings and technological advances provide insight into how a few transcription factors work together in complex ways to orchestrate red blood cell differentiation

Musings on genome medicine: enzyme-replacement therapy of the lysosomal storage diseases

The lysosomal storage diseases, such as Gaucher's disease, mucopolysaccharidosis I, II and IV, Fabry's disease, and Pompe's disease, are rare inherited disorders whose symptoms result from enzyme deficiency causing lysosomal accumulation. Until effective gene-replacement therapy is developed, expensive, and at best incomplete, enzyme-replacement therapy is the only hope for sufferers of rare lysosomal storage diseases. Preventive strategies involving carrier detection should be a priority toward the successful management of these conditions

Musings on genome medicine: the slow but inexorable process of medical care reform in the United States

The current healthcare system in the United States is unsustainable, but any attempts at improvement must be carefully managed to avoid weakening the country's contribution to biomedical science research and the future of genome medicine

Musings on genome medicine: Crohn's disease

The inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, pose a fascinating challenge to specialists in gastroenterology, infectious diseases, immunology and genetics and an often crushing burden to patients and their families