Self-renewal pattern-associated genes and their role in adult stem cell functions

Molecular markers for adult stem cells (ASCs) are highly demanded for research and clinical applications. The development of specific molecular markers for ASCs has been difficult mainly due to the technical barriers in the identification and isolation of rare ASCs. Previously, reported transcriptional profiling studies for defining molecular features of ASCs were compromised by the use of impure ASC preparations. Thesis for this research was that the study of asymmetric self-renewal, a defining property of ASCs, might provide key clues to understanding ASC function and lead to discovery of novel molecular markers for ASCs. Fifty two self-renewal pattern associated (SRPA) genes were identified by cDNA microarray analysis with cell culture models whose self-renewal pattern could be reversibly regulated, instead of using heterogeneous ASC-enriched populations. From evaluation of whole genome transcript levels to expand the SRPA gene pool, 543 SRPA genes were discovered. Both microarray studies showed that asymmetric self-renewal associated (ASRA) genes were highly represented in ASC-enriched populations but not in embryonic stem cells. The SRPA gene expression signature successfully distinguished isolated ASC-enriched populations from non-stem cell populations by principal component analysis (PCA).

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Biological Engineering Division.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Noh, Minsoo

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• James L. Sherley.

• Biological Engineering Division.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/37955

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/37955