Asymmetric cell division during animal development

Abstract

Although most cells produce two equal daughters during mitosis, some can divide asymmetrically by segregating protein determinants into one of their two daughter cells. Interesting parallels exist between such asymmetric divisions and the polarity established in epithelial cells, and heterotrimeric G proteins might connect these aspects of cell polarity. The discovery of asymmetrically segregating proteins in vertebrates indicates that the results obtained in invertebrate model organisms might also apply to mammalian stem cells.