A team of American researchers have managed to create a “switch” that turns on muscle stem cells, causing growth and regeneration in a living mammal. This breakthrough in genetic engineering could lead to a genetic drug that allows humans to grow new muscle cells, replacing those that are damaged, infected, or just not functioning properly.
The discovery was made when they were breeding a special type of mice with a gene called ‘Cre.’ When this gene was activated, it triggers mutations in the muscle stem cells of the mice. What is amazing is that this gene can be activated by a certain drug. Thus, the scientists have found a ‘switch,’ which gives them the power to turn on the process of muscle growth and recovery. The research team used fluorescent techniques to see the stem cells and find out exactly where muscle tissues were being made. They were able to learn a lot about how muscles tissues were developed from their stem cells.
Charles Keller, M.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center, explains: "We hope that the genetically-engineered mouse models we developed will help scientists and clinicians better understand how to make muscle stem cells regenerate muscle tissue."
The team also uncovered a new way to look at how tumours start and progress in muscle cells. By activating certain tumour-causing mutations, the scientists were able to gain valuable insight into the origins of muscle tumours.
"For our own work on childhood muscle cancers, we also hope to understand how tumors start and progress, and to develop therapies that are less toxic than chemotherapy," said a senior researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
This discovery gives researchers a new way to study muscle cancers and other diseases. It is also a step towards the goal of one day being able to use stem cells to repair wounded and diseased patients.
Article from: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2009/03/30/stem_cell_breakthrough_monitoring_the_on_switch_that_turns_stem_cells_into_muscle.html
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