Primed to perish: heightened mitochondrial priming explains hESC apoptosis sensitivity

Niels Geijsen

doi:10.1016/j.stem.2013.09.011

Primed to perish: heightened mitochondrial priming explains hESC apoptosis sensitivity

Cell Stem Cell. 2013 Oct 3;13(4):371-2. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.09.011.

Author

Niels Geijsen¹

Affiliation

¹ Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Uppsalalaan 8, 3584 CT Utrecht, the Netherlands; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Companion Animals, Utrecht University, 3508 TD Utrecht, the Netherlands. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 24094314
DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2013.09.011

Abstract

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are hypersensitive to apoptotic stimuli, though the underlying mechanisms are poorly characterized. In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Liu et al. (2013) report that mitochondria of human ESCs exist in an apoptosis-prone state, ready to act as cellular executioners upon detecting DNA damage.

Publication types

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MeSH terms

Apoptosis*
DNA Damage*
Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology*
Humans
Mitochondria / metabolism*