Cell reproduction occurs through an elaborate series of events called the cell cycle, whereby chromosomes and other components are duplicated and then distributed into two daughter cells. A network of regulatory proteins governs progression through the steps of the cell cycle. This is normally a beautifully controlled process, and we think of cancer as a disease of accuracy of the cell cycle (Lee Hartwell, personal communication).
Best References
CELL Cycle
Indika Rajapakse
Lee HARTWELL
Dr. Hartwell, former President of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (1997-2010), is currently a professor and the director of the Biodesign Institute’s Pathfinder Center at Arizona State University. In recognition of his groundbreaking discovery of cell-cycle genes, Dr. Hartwell was elected to the National Academy of Sciences in 1987, received the Albert Lasker Award in 1998, and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2001. Dr. Hartwell's discoveries opened a new field of cancer research and enabled the development of several targeted cancer treatments. His pioneering research on synthetic lethality has introduced a new concept in cancer drug development. Dr. Hartwell's experience in biotechnology companies includes founding Rosetta Inpharmatics, which was later acquired by Merck Pharmaceuticals.
One of my favorite papers:
Hartwell, Leland H., et al. "From molecular to modular cell biology." Nature 402.6761 (1999): C47-C52.
Proliferation
Proliferation
Quiescence: Differentiation or Proliferation
Reprogramming
Symmetric
Symmetric
Asymmetric
Type of Result
Classification
A beautifully controlled process. The quiescent state subsequently leads to proliferation, differentiation, or senescence. improve efficiency of reprogramming by engineering symmetric cell division to a new cell type (red arrows).
“The cell cycle, for example, replicates and segregates chromosomes with a fidelity of 1/10^5 losses per division. This is achieved by checkpoints and repair processes that halt progress if a mistake is made and allows time for repair. A single double strand break will prevent mitosis. This principle is undoubtedly ubiquitous in biology”. Personal Communication Dr. Lee Hartwell
Cell cycle
G1
G2
S
M
11
Two genomes one cell
One genome one cell
Two cells
Complete Cell Cycle in Human Adult Fibroblasts
Grant, Gavin D., et al. "Accurate delineation of cell cycle phase transitions in living cells with PIP-FUCCI." Cell Cycle 17.21-22 (2018): 2496-2516.
Cell cycle: Two system came from one