Molecular Machinery Related To Stem Cell Fate Uncovered

The Stowers Institute's Xie Lab has revealed how the **BAM protein** affects **germline stem cell** differentiation and how it is involved in regulating the quality of stem cells through intercellular competition. The work was recently published by PNAS Early Edition. Maintaining the proper balance between stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is critical for normal homeostasis. An imbalance between the two can lead to tissue degeneration and to the development of tumors. It has long been known that the BAM protein is necessary for germline stem cell differentiation, but the specific molecular mechanism underlying BAM function had remained a mystery until now. More on "stowers-institute":[ http://www.stowers-institute.org/]

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