Mitotic signalling in progenitor cells: Integrating cell division with cell specification

Abstract

Mitotic signalling mediated by cell cycle regulators (CCRs) is pivotal for coordinating cell division and fate specification across metazoans. CCRs, including cyclin-dependent kinases and ubiquitin ligases, use post-translational modifications for rapid, dynamic regulation of the cell cycle, ensuring its unidirectionality and integration with fate determination. This review explores recent findings that further elucidate CCRs’ noncanonical functions, particularly in progenitor cells. Advancements in quantitative in vivo imaging, precise genome editing, and single-cell omics have provided unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution into the mechanisms through which CCRs regulate asymmetric cell division, epigenetic regulation, and cell cycle variations. The evolution of CCRs underscores their crucial role in integrating cellular and developmental signals in multicellular organisms, with implications for disease and therapeutic strategies.