Source: HealthDay News
Date: October 10, 2007
Summary:
HealthDay News reports researchers have found adult stem cells are missing a protein that keeps embryonic stem cells from becoming specialized cells:
"Adult stem cells lack a protein called Oct4, which helps maintain embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated state, U.S. researchers report. The findings suggest that the ability of stem cells to change into any kind of cell is regulated differently in adult and embryonic stem cells, the researchers said. The study also challenges findings from more than 50 studies that concluded that Oct4 was present in adult stem cells."
