Doxsey and colleagues report that midbodies accumulate in stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells and potential cancer-initiating cells. Loss of midbodies accompanies stem-cell differentiation and is mediated through binding of the autophagy receptor NBR1 to the midbody protein CEP55. Downregulation of NBR1 is associated with enrichment of midbodies, enhanced reprogramming and increased tumorigenicity in cancer cells.
- Tse-Chun Kuo
- Chun-Ting Chen
- Stephen Doxsey
