Abstract
Multicellular organisms have a unique problem with regulation of proliferation of their component cells. Failure of even a large proportion of cells to divide within a tissue is generally of little consequence because of substantial cellular redundancy: i.e. there are always other cells present than can renew the affected tissue. In contrast, tight control of proliferation is an absolute requirement for multicellularity because unrestrained proliferation of even one cell and its progeny will be lethal: this is the disease we call cancer. Recently, there have been many spectacular advances in our understanding of the molecular processes that regulate cell proliferation. Concomittantly with this advance has also arisen a confusion over what regulation of cell proliferation entails. Is regulation exerted at the level of control of the cell cycle, or at the point when a cell decides whether or not to proliferate, quiesce or differentiate, or at the level of the whole tissue or organism by balancing cell gain and cell loss? In this review I will outline the major features of cell growth regulation as they pertain to mammalian cells and attempt to provide a more intergated framework for further discussion.
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© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Evan, G.I. (1993). The Molecular Basis of Mammalian Cell Growth Control. In: Jacquemin-Sablon, A. (eds) Flow Cytometry. NATO ASI Series, vol 67. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84616-8_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-84616-8_19
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