Function of RNA-binding protein Musashi-1 in stem cells

Journal Article · Fri Jun 10 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Experimental Cell Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yexcr.2005.02.021· OSTI ID:20717612

Okano, Hideyuki ^[1]; Kawahara, Hironori ^[1]; Toriya, Masako ^[1]; Nakao, Keio ^[1]; Shibata, Shinsuke ^[1]; Imai, Takao ^[1]

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1. Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-8582 (Japan)

Musashi is an evolutionarily conserved family of RNA-binding proteins that is preferentially expressed in the nervous system. The first member of the Musashi family was identified in Drosophila. This protein plays an essential role in regulating the asymmetric cell division of ectodermal precursor cells known as sensory organ precursor cells through the translational regulation of target mRNA. In the CNS of Drosophila larvae, however, Musashi is expressed in proliferating neuroblasts and likely has a different function. Its probable mammalian homologue, Musashi-1, is a neural RNA-binding protein that is strongly expressed in fetal and adult neural stem cells (NSCs). Mammalian Musashi-1 augments Notch signaling through the translational repression of its target mRNA, m-Numb, thereby contributing to the self-renewal of NSCs. In addition to its functions in NSCs, the role of mammalian Musashi-1 protein in epithelial stem cells, including intestinal and mammary gland stem cells, is attracting increasing interest.

• OSTI ID: 20717612
• Journal Information: Experimental Cell Research, Journal Name: Experimental Cell Research Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 306; ISSN 0014-4827; ISSN ECREAL
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ASYMMETRY
CELL DIVISION
DROSOPHILA
GENE REGULATION
LARVAE
MAMMARY GLANDS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
PROTEINS
RNA
STEM CELLS