Deciphering the molecular machinery of stem cells: a look at the neoblast gene expression profile.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mammalian stem cells are difficult to access experimentally; model systems that can regenerate offer an alternative way to characterize stem cell related genes. Planarian regeneration depends on adult pluripotent stem cells--the neoblasts. These cells can be selectively destroyed using X-rays, enabling comparison of organisms lacking stem cells with wild-type worms.

Results

Using a genomic approach we produced an oligonucleotide microarray chip (the Dj600 chip), which was designed using selected planarian gene sequences. Using this chip, we compared planarians treated with high doses of X-rays (which eliminates all neoblasts) with wild-type worms, which led to identification of a set of putatively neoblast-restricted genes. Most of these genes are involved in chro

SUBMITTER: Rossi L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1896013 | biostudies-literature | 2007

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature