Can developmental signals shatter or mend our genomes?

Abstract

Consensus holds that most cells in the embryo are genetically identical and have healthy genomes. However, embryonic cells with abnormal chromosomes are surprisingly frequent. In a recent publication, de Jaime-Soguero et al. report that extracellular developmental signaling pathways, including BMP, FGF, and WNT, can promote or prevent chromosome instability in certain cell types.

Keywords: chromosome instability; chromosome segregation; developmental biology; pluripotent stem cell; signaling pathway; stem cell biology.