About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

CNIO Scientists Discover That Pluripotency Factor NANOG is also Active in Adult Organisms

by Kathy Jones on July 10, 2014 at 10:24 PM
Font : A-A+

 CNIO Scientists Discover That Pluripotency Factor NANOG is also Active in Adult Organisms

A new study conducted by researchers at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and published in the journal Nature Communications has found that NANOG, an essential gene for embryonic stem cells, is also responsible for regulating cell division in stratified epithelia. This could also play a key role in the formation of tumors from stratified epithelia of the oesophagus and skin.

The pluripotency factor NANOG is active during just two days previous to the implantation of the embryo in the uterus (from day 5 to day 7 post-fertilization). At this critical period of development, NANOG contributes to giving embryonic stem cells the extraordinary capacity to make up all of the tissues that become the adult organism, an ability technically known as pluripotency.

Advertisement

Up until now, it was thought that the function of NANOG was limited to the above-mentioned developmental stage immediately prior to implantation. The CNIO study, led by Manuel Serrano and Daniela Piazzolla, however, shows that NANOG also plays a role in the adult organism.

After analysing the presence of NANOG in different mouse tissues by immunohistochemistry, the CNIO team demonstrated that, in addition to being present in embryonic tissue, this factor is also found in stratified epithelia such as the oesophagus, skin or vagina.
Advertisement

NANOG Is Linked to Tumours Derived From Stratified Epithelia

Furthermore, the researchers studied a line of mice that can be programmed to induce the NANOG factor over a limited period of time. As described in the article, when NANOG was increased in these mice, the epithelia showed an increase in cellular proliferation, hyperplasia, and an increase in the amount of DNA damage in the cells.

"Interestingly, the effects of NANOG were only observed in stratified epithelia, whereas other tissues, such as the liver of kidney, were completely indifferent to the expression of NANOG", says Serrano. This reinforces the idea that NANOG selectively operates in stratified epithelia.

"Using genome-wide analysis, we demonstrate that this factor is able to specifically regulate cell proliferation in these tissues, and it does it by means of the AURKA protein that is involved in the control of cell division", says Serrano.

The authors of the work also show that NANOG is increased in patient-derived tumour samples from stratified epithelia. Furthermore, when they blocked the action of the gene using RNA interference, the cell proliferation index was reduced.

"This tells us that these cancerous cells depend on NANOG activity to maintain their high proliferation rate and oncological properties", says Serrano.

The study has benefitted from the participation of CNIO researchers Marcos Malumbres and Ignacio Pérez de Castro, who are experts on protein AURKA and its role in the cell cycle. This work has been funded by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the European Union, the Community of Madrid, the Botín Foundation, the Ramón Areces Foundation, and the AXA Foundation.



Source: Eurekalert
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest Research News

 Regrowth of Nerve Cells Could Heal Certain Types of Blindness and Paralysis
Researchers found that treatments helping to repair nerve damage in neurons in a near-embryonic state might potentially restore sight and movement.
What Are the Effects of Smoking on Quality of Life?
Tobacco smoke contains toxic chemicals which damage lungs, weaken the immune system and cause tuberculosis.
 Brain Shape Controls Our Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviour
Identifying an unappreciated relationship between brain shape and activity overturns the century-old paradigm emphasizing the importance of complex brain connectivity.
Eight Threats to Black Adult's Longevity
Decoding the eight factors affecting Black adults' life expectancy.
Beyond the Campus: Contrasting Realities Revealed!
Sobering truth about foot travel in the United States emerges from international statistics, highlighting the prevalence of walking on the Blacksburg campus.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

CNIO Scientists Discover That Pluripotency Factor NANOG is also Active in Adult Organisms Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests