A stem cell can divide into two kinds of cell type: identical to the original stem cell (self-renewal) or a differentiated cell. A normal cell (not stem cell) can also divide into 2 daughter cells, isn't it? Then what is the difference between self-renewal and normal cell division? Is cell division only for stem cell?
Can anybody help? Thanks.
As far as I understand this text, somatic cells
in humans do not reproduce to avoid cancer
and evolution inside an organism.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071219130310.htm
Stem cells can bring forth a somatic cell while
one daughter cell retains stemness. This is achieved
by asymmetrical cell division. At first, an
axis is defined. The mitotic spindle is aligned
at it, and certain proteins are separated
into the different halves.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867408002080
http://www.embl.de/aboutus/communication_outreach/media_relations/2007/070504_heidelberg/
http://phys.org/news/2012-11-cell-biologists-protein-key-asymmetric.html
http://www.irbbarcelona.org/en/news/a-key-component-of-cell-division-comes-to-light
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2989779/
Regards,
Joachim
Self-renewal is a kind of cell division specific to stem cells, so cell division is a general term. When self-renewal occurs, a stem cell divides into two cells, one of which is still a stem cell (which can display differentiation potential into one or more types of differentiated cells (stemness/potency) and divides almost indefinitely = self-renewal), and another is a differentiated cell, which may or may not divide, but its divisions (if any) are not self-renewal because (1) no stem cell (i.e. a cell with developmental potential) is produced, and (2) these divisions are finite (so they are not self-renewal, because self-renewal is indefinite yet controlled proliferation). In sum, self-renewal is a stem cell's 'unlimited' division while retaining its developmental potential.
Of note, stem cell immortality is thanks to the expression of the enzyme telomerase.
Hope this helps,
Sharif
.....as described by Dr. Sharif Moradi, The Self-renewal is a stem cell's 'unlimited' division while retaining its developmental potential.
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