Perspective

The axis of mTOR-mitochondria-ROS and stemness of the hematopoietic stem cells

Volume 8, Issue 8   April 15, 2009
Pages 1158 - 1160
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cc.8.8.8139
Authors: Chong Chen, Yu Liu, Yang Liu and Pan Zheng

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Abstract:
It has been hypothesized that adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) need to remain quiescent to retain their long-term self-renewal activity and multipotency. However, it is still unclear how lack of quiescence is detrimental to HSC.  We identified that the mTOR pathway is the key to HSCs quiescence. mTOR overactivation caused increased mitochondrial biogenesis and accumulation of much higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Removal of ROS rescued HSC defects associated with hyperactivated mTOR.  We propose susceptibility to ROS as the underlying cause for HSC’s general requirement for quiescence.

Received: January 22, 2009; Accepted: February 10, 2009

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