NANOG gene linked to tumors derived from the stratified epithelium -
NANOG pluripotent factor regulates cell proliferation in the epithelium of the skin and esophagus in the adult organism; blocking the action of the gene reduces the ability of tumor cells to divide
Scientists from the Spanish National Centre for Cancer Research (CNIO) found that NANOG, a gene essential for embryonic stem cells, also regulates cell division in stratified epithelia-those who are part of the epidermis of the skin or cover the esophagus or adult organisms vagina-in. The findings of the study, published in the journal Nature Communications , this factor could also play a role in the formation of tumors derived from stratified epithelia of the esophagus and skin.
The pluripotency factor NANOG is active for only two days to embryo implantation in the uterus (day 5 to day 7 after fertilization). At this critical period of development, Nanog helps give embryonic stem cells of the extraordinary capacity to compensate all tissues that become the adult organism, a technique known as the pluripotency capacity.
Until now it was thought that the function of NANOG was limited to the stage of development mentioned above immediately prior to implantation. The CNIO study, led by Manuel Serrano and Daniela Piazzolla, however, shows that Nanog plays a role in the adult organism.
After analyzing the presence of NANOG in different mouse tissues by immunohistochemistry, the CNIO team found that, in addition to being present in embryonic tissue, this factor is also found in the stratified epithelia such as the esophagus, skin or vagina.
NANOG is linked to tumors derived from stratified epithelia
Furthermore, the researchers studied a strain of mice that can be programmed to induce the NANOG factor on a limited period of time. As described in the article, when NANOG increased in these mice, the epithelium showed an increase in cell proliferation, hyperplasia and increase in the amount of DNA damage in the cells.
"Interestingly, the effects of NANOG were only observed in the stratified epithelia, whereas other tissues such as the liver kidney, were completely indifferent to the expression of NANOG," said Serrano . This reinforces the idea that NANOG selectively operates in stratified epithelia.
"Using genome analysis, we demonstrate that this factor is able to specifically regulate cell proliferation in these tissues, and it does so through the AURKA protein that is involved in controlling cell division, "said Serrano.
the authors of the book also shows that NANOG is increased in tumor samples from patients stratified epithelia. Furthermore, when they blocked the action of gene using RNA interference, the index of cell proliferation was reduced.
"This tells us that these cancer cells depend on the NANOG activity to maintain their high growth rates and oncologic properties "said Serrano.
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