Musashi: a translational regulator of cell fate

J Cell Sci. 2002 Apr 1;115(Pt 7):1355-9. doi: 10.1242/jcs.115.7.1355.

Abstract

Transcription is thought to have a major role in the regulation of cell fate; the importance of translational regulation in this process has been less certain. Recent findings demonstrate that translational regulation contributes to cell-fate specification. The evolutionarily conserved, neural RNA-binding protein Musashi, for example, controls neural cell fate. The protein functions in maintenance of the stem-cell state, differentiation, and tumorigenesis by repressing translation of particular mRNAs. In mammals it might play an important role in activating Notch signalling by repressing translation of the Notch inhibitor m-Numb.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / embryology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / genetics
  • Cell Division
  • Drosophila / cytology
  • Drosophila / embryology
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
  • Genes, Regulator
  • Models, Genetic
  • Nervous System / cytology
  • Nervous System / embryology
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Protein Biosynthesis*