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Chen J, Li C, Sheng Y, Zhang J, Pang L, Dong Z, Wu Z, Lu Y, Liu Z, Zhang Q, Guan X, Chen X, Huang J. Communication between the stem cell niche and an adjacent differentiation niche through miRNA and EGFR signaling orchestrates exit from the stem cell state in the Drosophila ovary. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002515. [PMID: 38512963 PMCID: PMC10986965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The signaling environment, or niche, often governs the initial difference in behavior of an adult stem cell and a derivative that initiates a path towards differentiation. The transition between an instructive stem cell niche and differentiation niche must generally have single-cell resolution, suggesting that multiple mechanisms might be necessary to sharpen the transition. Here, we examined the Drosophila ovary and found that Cap cells, which are key constituents of the germline stem cell (GSC) niche, express a conserved microRNA (miR-124). Surprisingly, loss of miR-124 activity in Cap cells leads to a defect in differentiation of GSC derivatives. We present evidence that the direct functional target of miR-124 in Cap cells is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and that failure to limit EGFR expression leads to the ectopic expression of a key anti-differentiation BMP signal in neighboring somatic escort cells (ECs), which constitute a differentiation niche. We further found that Notch signaling connects EFGR activity in Cap cells to BMP expression in ECs. We deduce that the stem cell niche communicates with the differentiation niche through a mechanism that begins with the selective expression of a specific microRNA and culminates in the suppression of the major anti-differentiation signal in neighboring cells, with the functionally important overall role of sharpening the spatial distinction between self-renewal and differentiation environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaosqun Li
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yifeng Sheng
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junwei Zhang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lan Pang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi Dong
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiwei Wu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yueqi Lu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qichao Zhang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueying Guan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Resources, Institute of Crop Science, Plant Precision Breeding Academy, College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya, China
| | - Xuexin Chen
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, Sanya, China
| | - Jianhua Huang
- Institute of Insect Sciences, Ministry of Agriculture Key Lab of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insect Pests, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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2
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Akiyama T, Raftery LA, Wharton KA. Bone morphogenetic protein signaling: the pathway and its regulation. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad200. [PMID: 38124338 PMCID: PMC10847725 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mid-1960s, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were first identified in the extracts of bone to have the remarkable ability to induce heterotopic bone. When the Drosophila gene decapentaplegic (dpp) was first identified to share sequence similarity with mammalian BMP2/BMP4 in the late-1980s, it became clear that secreted BMP ligands can mediate processes other than bone formation. Following this discovery, collaborative efforts between Drosophila geneticists and mammalian biochemists made use of the strengths of their respective model systems to identify BMP signaling components and delineate the pathway. The ability to conduct genetic modifier screens in Drosophila with relative ease was critical in identifying the intracellular signal transducers for BMP signaling and the related transforming growth factor-beta/activin signaling pathway. Such screens also revealed a host of genes that encode other core signaling components and regulators of the pathway. In this review, we provide a historical account of this exciting time of gene discovery and discuss how the field has advanced over the past 30 years. We have learned that while the core BMP pathway is quite simple, composed of 3 components (ligand, receptor, and signal transducer), behind the versatility of this pathway lies multiple layers of regulation that ensures precise tissue-specific signaling output. We provide a sampling of these discoveries and highlight many questions that remain to be answered to fully understand the complexity of BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Akiyama
- Department of Biology, Rich and Robin Porter Cancer Research Center, The Center for Genomic Advocacy, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - Laurel A Raftery
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Kristi A Wharton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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3
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Eslahi M, Nematbakhsh N, Dastmalchi N, Teimourian S, Safaralizadeh R. Signaling Pathways in Drosophila gonadal Stem Cells. Curr Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 19:154-165. [PMID: 36788694 DOI: 10.2174/1574888x18666230213144531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The stem cells' ability to divide asymmetrically to produce differentiating and self-renewing daughter cells is crucial to maintain tissue homeostasis and development. Stem cell maintenance and differentiation rely on their regulatory microenvironment termed 'niches'. The mechanisms of the signal transduction pathways initiated from the niche, regulation of stem cell maintenance and differentiation were quite challenging to study. The knowledge gained from the study of Drosophila melanogaster testis and ovary helped develop our understanding of stem cell/niche interactions and signal pathways related to the regulatory mechanisms in maintaining homeostasis of adult tissue. In this review, we discuss the role of signaling pathways in Drosophila gonadal stem cell regeneration, competition, differentiation, dedifferentiation, proliferation, and fate determination. Furthermore, we present the current knowledge on how these signaling pathways are implicated in cancer, and how they contribute as potential candidates for effective cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maede Eslahi
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Negin Nematbakhsh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Narges Dastmalchi
- Department of Biology, University College of Nabi Akram, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Shahram Teimourian
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Safaralizadeh
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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4
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Zhao H, Shi L, Li Z, Kong R, Jia L, Lu S, Wang JH, Dong MQ, Guo X, Li Z. Diamond controls epithelial polarity through the dynactin-dynein complex. Traffic 2023; 24:552-563. [PMID: 37642208 DOI: 10.1111/tra.12917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial polarity is critical for proper functions of epithelial tissues, tumorigenesis, and metastasis. The evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein Crumbs (Crb) is a key regulator of epithelial polarity. Both Crb protein and its transcripts are apically localized in epithelial cells. However, it remains not fully understood how they are targeted to the apical domain. Here, using Drosophila ovarian follicular epithelia as a model, we show that epithelial polarity is lost and Crb protein is absent in the apical domain in follicular cells (FCs) in the absence of Diamond (Dind). Interestingly, Dind is found to associate with different components of the dynactin-dynein complex through co-IP-MS analysis. Dind stabilizes dynactin and depletion of dynactin results in almost identical defects as those observed in dind-defective FCs. Finally, both Dind and dynactin are also required for the apical localization of crb transcripts in FCs. Thus our data illustrate that Dind functions through dynactin/dynein-mediated transport of both Crb protein and its transcripts to the apical domain to control epithelial apico-basal (A/B) polarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengran Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiyan Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lemei Jia
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China
| | - Shan Lu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Hua Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China
| | - Meng-Qiu Dong
- National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS), Beijing, China
| | - Xuan Guo
- Life Science Institute, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, China
| | - Zhouhua Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
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5
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Tu R, Tang XA, Xu R, Ping Z, Yu Z, Xie T. Gap junction-transported cAMP from the niche controls stem cell progeny differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304168120. [PMID: 37603749 PMCID: PMC10468610 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304168120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The niche has been shown to control stem cell self-renewal in different tissue types and organisms. Recently, a separate niche has been proposed to control stem cell progeny differentiation, called the differentiation niche. However, it remains poorly understood whether and how the differentiation niche directly signals to stem cell progeny to control their differentiation. In the Drosophila ovary, inner germarial sheath (IGS) cells contribute to two separate niche compartments for controlling both germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and progeny differentiation. In this study, we show that IGS cells express Inx2 protein, which forms gap junctions (GJs) with germline-specific Zpg protein to control stepwise GSC lineage development, including GSC self-renewal, germline cyst formation, meiotic double-strand DNA break formation, and oocyte specification. Germline-specific Zpg and IGS-specific Inx2 knockdowns cause similar defects in stepwise GSC development. Additionally, secondary messenger cAMP is transported from IGS cells to GSCs and their progeny via GJs to activate PKA signaling for controlling stepwise GSC development. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the niche directly controls GSC progeny differentiation via the GJ-cAMP-PKA signaling axis, which provides important insights into niche control of stem cell differentiation and highlights the importance of GJ-transported cAMP in tissue regeneration. This may represent a general strategy for the niche to control adult stem cell development in various tissue types and organisms since GJs and cAMP are widely distributed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjun Tu
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Xiaohan Alex Tang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Rui Xu
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Zhaohua Ping
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO64110
| | - Zulin Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO64110
| | - Ting Xie
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO64110
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6
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Liu S, Baeg GH, Yang Y, Goh FG, Bao H, Wagner EJ, Yang X, Cai Y. The Integrator complex desensitizes cellular response to TGF-β/BMP signaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112007. [PMID: 36641752 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of stem cells requires the concerted actions of niche-derived signals and stem cell-intrinsic factors. Although Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a Drosophila bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) molecule, can act as a long-range morphogen, its function is spatially limited to the germline stem cell niche in the germarium. We show here that Integrator, a complex known to be involved in RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-mediated transcriptional regulation in the nucleus, promotes germline differentiation by restricting niche-derived Dpp/BMP activity in the cytoplasm. Further results show that Integrator works in various developmental contexts to desensitize the cellular response to Dpp/BMP signaling during Drosophila development. Mechanistically, our results show that Integrator forms a multi-subunit complex with the type I receptor Thickveins (Tkv) and other Dpp/BMP signaling components and acts in a negative feedback loop to promote Tkv turnover independent of its transcriptional activity. Similarly, human Integrator subunits bind transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/BMP signaling components and antagonize their activity, suggesting a conserved role of Integrator across metazoans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Liu
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Gyeong Hun Baeg
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau SAR, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | - Feng Guang Goh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Hongcun Bao
- The Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hang Zhou 310058, China
| | - Eric J Wagner
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, KMRB B.9629, Rochester, NY 14642 USA
| | - Xiaohang Yang
- The Women's Hospital and Institute of Genetics, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hang Zhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
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Zhang J, Zhang S, Sun Z, Cai Y, Zhong G, Yi X. Camptothecin Effectively Regulates Germline Differentiation through Bam-Cyclin A Axis in Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021617. [PMID: 36675143 PMCID: PMC9864452 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Camptothecin (CPT), first isolated from Chinese tree Camptotheca acuminate, produces rapid and prolonged inhibition of DNA synthesis and induction of DNA damage by targeting topoisomerase I (top1), which is highly activated in cancer cells. CPT thus exhibits remarkable anticancer activities in various cancer types, and is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancers. However, it remains to be uncovered underlying its cytotoxicity toward germ cells. In this study we found that CPT, a cell cycle-specific anticancer agent, reduced fecundity and exhibited significant cytotoxicity toward GSCs and two-cell cysts. We showed that CPT induced GSC loss and retarded two-cell cysts differentiation in a niche- or apoptosis-independent manner. Instead, CPT induced ectopic expression of a differentiation factor, bag of marbles (Bam), and regulated the expression of cyclin A, which contributed to GSC loss. In addition, CPT compromised two-cell cysts differentiation by decreasing the expression of Bam and inducing cell arrest at G1/S phase via cyclin A, eventually resulting in two-cell accumulation. Collectively, this study demonstrates, for the first time in vivo, that the Bam-cyclin A axis is involved in CPT-mediated germline stem cell loss and two-cell cysts differentiation defects via inducing cell cycle arrest, which could provide information underlying toxicological effects of CPT in the productive system, and feature its potential to develop as a pharmacology-based germline stem cell regulation agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Zhipeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
| | - Guohua Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (X.Y.)
| | - Xin Yi
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (G.Z.); (X.Y.)
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8
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Zhao H, Li Z, Kong R, Shi L, Ma R, Ren X, Li Z. Novel intrinsic factor Yun maintains female germline stem cell fate through Thickveins. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1914-1923. [PMID: 35985332 PMCID: PMC9481913 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are critical for the reproduction of an organism. The self-renewal and differentiation of GSCs must be tightly controlled to avoid uncontrolled stem cell proliferation or premature stem cell differentiation. However, how the self-renewal and differentiation of GSCs are properly controlled is not fully understood. Here, we find that the novel intrinsic factor Yun is required for female GSC maintenance in Drosophila. GSCs undergo precocious differentiation due to de-repression of differentiation factor Bam by defective BMP/Dpp signaling in the absence of yun. Mechanistically, Yun associates with and stabilizes Thickveins (Tkv), the type I receptor of Dpp/BMP signaling. Finally, ectopic expression of a constitutively active Tkv (TkvQD) completely suppresses GSC loss caused by yun depletion. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Yun functions through Tkv to maintain GSC fate. Our results provide new insight into the regulatory mechanisms of how stem cell maintenance is properly controlled. Novel intrinsic factor Yun is required for female GSC maintenance Yun-defective GSCs undergo differentiation due to Bam upregulation Yun associates with and stabilizes Tkv to regulate GSC maintenance GSC loss in the absence of yun could be rescued by constitutively active Tkv
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhengran Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Ruiyan Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Lin Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Rui Ma
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xuejing Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhouhua Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.
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9
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Chen TA, Lin KY, Yang SM, Tseng CY, Wang YT, Lin CH, Luo L, Cai Y, Hsu HJ. Canonical Wnt Signaling Promotes Formation of Somatic Permeability Barrier for Proper Germ Cell Differentiation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:877047. [PMID: 35517512 PMCID: PMC9062081 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.877047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphogen-mediated signaling is critical for proper organ development and stem cell function, and well-characterized mechanisms spatiotemporally limit the expression of ligands, receptors, and ligand-binding cell-surface glypicans. Here, we show that in the developing Drosophila ovary, canonical Wnt signaling promotes the formation of somatic escort cells (ECs) and their protrusions, which establish a physical permeability barrier to define morphogen territories for proper germ cell differentiation. The protrusions shield germ cells from Dpp and Wingless morphogens produced by the germline stem cell (GSC) niche and normally only received by GSCs. Genetic disruption of EC protrusions allows GSC progeny to also receive Dpp and Wingless, which subsequently disrupt germ cell differentiation. Our results reveal a role for canonical Wnt signaling in specifying the ovarian somatic cells necessary for germ cell differentiation. Additionally, we demonstrate the morphogen-limiting function of this physical permeability barrier, which may be a common mechanism in other organs across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-An Chen
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yang Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Min Yang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Chen-Yuan Tseng
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Wang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hung Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Lichao Luo
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Hwei-Jan Hsu,
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10
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Shore T, Levi T, Kalifa R, Dreifuss A, Rekler D, Weinberg-Shukron A, Nevo Y, Bialistoky T, Moyal V, Gold MY, Leebhoff S, Zangen D, Deshpande G, Gerlitz O. Nucleoporin107 mediates female sexual differentiation via Dsx. eLife 2022; 11:72632. [PMID: 35311642 PMCID: PMC8975549 DOI: 10.7554/elife.72632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently identified a missense mutation in Nucleoporin107 (Nup107; D447N) underlying XX-ovarian-dysgenesis, a rare disorder characterized by underdeveloped and dysfunctional ovaries. Modeling of the human mutation in Drosophila or specific knockdown of Nup107 in the gonadal soma resulted in ovarian-dysgenesis-like phenotypes. Transcriptomic analysis identified the somatic sex-determination gene doublesex (dsx) as a target of Nup107. Establishing Dsx as a primary relevant target of Nup107, either loss or gain of Dsx in the gonadal soma is sufficient to mimic or rescue the phenotypes induced by Nup107 loss. Importantly, the aberrant phenotypes induced by compromising either Nup107 or dsx are reminiscent of BMP signaling hyperactivation. Remarkably, in this context, the metalloprotease AdamTS-A, a transcriptional target of both Dsx and Nup107, is necessary for the calibration of BMP signaling. As modulation of BMP signaling is a conserved critical determinant of soma-germline interaction, the sex and tissue specific deployment of Dsx-F by Nup107 seems crucial for the maintenance of the homeostatic balance between the germ cells and somatic gonadal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tikva Shore
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tgst Levi
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Rachel Kalifa
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Amatzia Dreifuss
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dina Rekler
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Yuval Nevo
- Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE Computation Center, The Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tzofia Bialistoky
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Victoria Moyal
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Merav Yaffa Gold
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shira Leebhoff
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - David Zangen
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Girish Deshpande
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Offer Gerlitz
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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11
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Gong S, Zhang Y, Tian A, Deng W. Tumor models in various Drosophila tissues. WIREs Mech Dis 2021; 13:e1525. [PMID: 34730289 PMCID: PMC8566734 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of cancer is a complex multistage process. Over the past few decades, the model organism Drosophila melanogaster has been crucial in identifying cancer-related genes and pathways and elucidating mechanisms underlying growth regulation in development. Investigations using Drosophila has yielded new insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor initiation and progression. In this review, we describe various tumor models that have been developed in recent years using different Drosophila tissues, such as the imaginal tissue, the neural tissue, the gut, the ovary, and hematopoietic cells. We discuss underlying genetic alterations, cancer-like characteristics, as well as similarities and key differences among these models. We also discuss how disruptions in stem cell division and differentiation result in tumor formation in diverse tissues, and highlight new concepts developed using the fly model to understand context-dependent tumorigenesis. We further discuss the progress made in Drosophila to explore tumor-host interactions that involve the innate immune response to tumor growth and the cachexia wasting phenotype. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shangyu Gong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Aiguo Tian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
| | - Wu‐Min Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyTulane University School of MedicineNew OrleansLouisianaUSA
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12
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Rogers S, Scholpp S. Vertebrate Wnt5a - At the crossroads of cellular signalling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 125:3-10. [PMID: 34686423 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signalling is an essential pathway in embryogenesis, differentiation, cell motility, development, and adult tissue homeostasis in vertebrates. The Wnt signalling network can activate several downstream pathways such as the β-catenin-dependent TCF/LEF transcription, the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway, and the Wnt/Calcium pathway. Wnt5a is a vertebrate Wnt ligand that is most often associated with the Wnt/PCP signalling pathway. Wnt5a/PCP signalling has a well-described role in embryogenesis via binding to a receptor complex of Frizzled and its co-receptors to initiate downstream activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling cascade and the Rho and Rac GTPases, Rho-Kinase (ROCK). This activation results in the cytoskeletal remodelling required for cell polarity, migration, and subsequently, tissue re-arrangement and organ formation. This review will focus on more recent work that has revealed new roles for Wnt5a ligands and consequently, an emerging broader function. This is partly due to our growing understanding of the crosstalk between the Wnt/PCP pathway with both the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and other signalling pathways, and in part due to the identification of novel atypical receptors for Wnt5a that demonstrate a far broader role for this ligand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Rogers
- Living Systems Institute, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Steffen Scholpp
- Living Systems Institute, School of Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
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13
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Yang Y, Kong R, Goh FG, Somers WG, Hime GR, Li Z, Cai Y. dRTEL1 is essential for the maintenance of Drosophila male germline stem cells. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009834. [PMID: 34644293 PMCID: PMC8513875 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells have the potential to maintain undifferentiated state and differentiate into specialized cell types. Despite numerous progress has been achieved in understanding stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. In this study, we identify dRTEL1, the Drosophila homolog of Regulator of Telomere Elongation Helicase 1, as a novel regulator of male germline stem cells (GSCs). Our genome-wide transcriptome analysis and ChIP-Seq results suggest that dRTEL1 affects a set of candidate genes required for GSC maintenance, likely independent of its role in DNA repair. Furthermore, dRTEL1 prevents DNA damage-induced checkpoint activation in GSCs. Finally, dRTEL1 functions to sustain Stat92E protein levels, the key player in GSC maintenance. Together, our findings reveal an intrinsic role of the DNA helicase dRTEL1 in maintaining male GSC and provide insight into the function of dRTEL1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiyan Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Guang Goh
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W. Gregory Somers
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gary R. Hime
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zhouhua Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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14
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Montanari MP, Tran NV, Shimmi O. Regulation of spatial distribution of BMP ligands for pattern formation. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:198-212. [PMID: 34241935 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) family, have been shown to contribute to embryogenesis and organogenesis during animal development. Relevant studies provide support for the following concepts: (a) BMP signals are evolutionarily highly conserved as a genetic toolkit; (b) spatiotemporal distributions of BMP signals are precisely controlled at the post-translational level; and (c) the BMP signaling network has been co-opted to adapt to diversified animal development. These concepts originated from the historical findings of the Spemann-Mangold organizer and the subsequent studies about how this organizer functions at the molecular level. In this Commentary, we focus on two topics. First, we review how the BMP morphogen gradient is formed to sustain larval wing imaginal disc and early embryo growth and patterning in Drosophila. Second, we discuss how BMP signal is tightly controlled in a context-dependent manner, and how the signal and tissue dynamics are coupled to facilitate complex tissue structure formation. Finally, we argue how these concepts might be developed in the future for further understanding the significance of BMP signaling in animal development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ngan Vi Tran
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Osamu Shimmi
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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15
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Wang X, LaFever KS, Waghmare I, Page-McCaw A. Extracellular spreading of Wingless is required for Drosophila oogenesis. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009469. [PMID: 33798197 PMCID: PMC8046344 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have investigated whether the Wnt family of extracellular ligands can signal at long range, spreading from their source and acting as morphogens, or whether they signal only in a juxtacrine manner to neighboring cells. The original evidence for long-range Wnt signaling arose from studies of Wg, a Drosophila Wnt protein, which patterns the wing disc over several cell diameters from a central source of Wg ligand. However, the requirement of long-range Wg for patterning was called into question when it was reported that replacing the secreted protein Wg with a membrane-tethered version, NRT-Wg, results in flies with normally patterned wings. We and others previously reported that Wg spreads in the ovary about 50 μm or 5 cell diameters, from the cap cells to the follicle stem cells (FSCs) and that Wg stimulates FSC proliferation. We used the NRT-wg flies to analyze the consequence of tethering Wg to the cap cells. NRT-wg homozygous flies are sickly, but we found that hemizygous NRT-wg/null flies, carrying only one copy of tethered Wingless, were significantly healthier. Despite their overall improved health, these hemizygous flies displayed dramatic reductions in fertility and in FSC proliferation. Further, FSC proliferation was nearly undetectable when the wg locus was converted to NRT-wg only in adults, and the resulting germarium phenotype was consistent with a previously reported wg loss-of-function phenotype. We conclude that Wg protein spreads from its source cells in the germarium to promote FSC proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Kimberly S. LaFever
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
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16
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Madamanchi A, Mullins MC, Umulis DM. Diversity and robustness of bone morphogenetic protein pattern formation. Development 2021; 148:dev192344. [PMID: 33795238 PMCID: PMC8034876 DOI: 10.1242/dev.192344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pattern formation by bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) demonstrates remarkable plasticity and utility in several contexts, such as early embryonic development, tissue patterning and the maintenance of stem cell niches. BMPs pattern tissues over many temporal and spatial scales: BMP gradients as short as 1-2 cell diameters maintain the stem cell niche of the Drosophila germarium over a 24-h cycle, and BMP gradients of several hundred microns establish dorsal-ventral tissue specification in Drosophila, zebrafish and Xenopus embryos in timescales between 30 min and several hours. The mechanisms that shape BMP signaling gradients are also incredibly diverse. Although ligand diffusion plays a dominant role in forming the gradient, a cast of diffusible and non-diffusible regulators modulate gradient formation and confer robustness, including scale invariance and adaptability to perturbations in gene expression and growth. In this Review, we document the diverse ways that BMP gradients are formed and refined, and we identify the core principles that they share to achieve reliable performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aasakiran Madamanchi
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Mary C Mullins
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - David M Umulis
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
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17
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Mad dephosphorylation at the nuclear pore is essential for asymmetric stem cell division. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2006786118. [PMID: 33753475 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006786118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells divide asymmetrically to generate a stem cell and a differentiating daughter cell. Yet, it remains poorly understood how a stem cell and a differentiating daughter cell can receive distinct levels of niche signal and thus acquire different cell fates (self-renewal versus differentiation), despite being adjacent to each other and thus seemingly exposed to similar levels of niche signaling. In the Drosophila ovary, germline stem cells (GSCs) are maintained by short range bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling; the BMP ligands activate a receptor that phosphorylates the downstream molecule mothers against decapentaplegic (Mad). Phosphorylated Mad (pMad) accumulates in the GSC nucleus and activates the stem cell transcription program. Here, we demonstrate that pMad is highly concentrated in the nucleus of the GSC, while it quickly decreases in the nucleus of the differentiating daughter cell, the precystoblast (preCB), before the completion of cytokinesis. We show that a known Mad phosphatase, Dullard (Dd), is required for the asymmetric partitioning of pMad. Our mathematical modeling recapitulates the high sensitivity of the ratio of pMad levels to the Mad phosphatase activity and explains how the asymmetry arises in a shared cytoplasm. Together, these studies reveal a mechanism for breaking the symmetry of daughter cells during asymmetric stem cell division.
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18
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Hu X, Li M, Hao X, Lu Y, Zhang L, Wu G. The Osa-Containing SWI/SNF Chromatin-Remodeling Complex Is Required in the Germline Differentiation Niche for Germline Stem Cell Progeny Differentiation. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030363. [PMID: 33806269 PMCID: PMC7998989 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila ovary is recognized as a powerful model to study stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is secreted from the germline stem cell (GSC) niche to activate Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) signaling in GSCs for their self-renewal and is restricted in the differentiation niche for daughter cell differentiation. Here, we report that Switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) component Osa depletion in escort cells (ECs) results in a blockage of GSC progeny differentiation. Further molecular and genetic analyses suggest that the defective germline differentiation is partially attributed to the elevated dpp transcription in ECs. Moreover, ectopic Engrailed (En) expression in osa-depleted ECs partially contributes to upregulated dpp transcription. Furthermore, we show that Osa regulates germline differentiation in a Brahma (Brm)-associated protein (BAP)-complex-dependent manner. Additionally, the loss of EC long cellular processes upon osa depletion may also partly contribute to the germline differentiation defect. Taken together, these data suggest that the epigenetic factor Osa plays an important role in controlling EC characteristics and germline lineage differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences &Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.H.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences &Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.H.); (M.L.)
| | - Xue Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; (X.H.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; (X.H.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; (X.H.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.)
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215121, China
| | - Geng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences &Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.H.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
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19
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A Progressive Somatic Cell Niche Regulates Germline Cyst Differentiation in the Drosophila Ovary. Curr Biol 2021; 31:840-852.e5. [PMID: 33340458 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the germarium of the Drosophila ovary, developing germline cysts are surrounded by a population of somatic escort cells that are known to function as the niche cells for germline differentiation;1 however, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this niche function remain poorly understood. Through single-cell gene expression profiling combined with genetic analyses, we here demonstrate that the escort cells can be spatially and functionally divided into two successive domains. The anterior escort cells (aECs) specifically produce ecdysone, which acts on the cystoblast to promote synchronous cell division, whereas the posterior escort cells (pECs) respond to ecdysone signaling and regulate soma-germline cell adhesion to promote the transition from 16-cell cyst-to-egg chamber formation. The patterning of the aEC and pEC domains is independent of the germline but is dependent on JAK/STAT signaling activity, which emanates from the posterior. Thus, a heterogeneous population of escort cells constitutes a stepwise niche environment to orchestrate cystoblast division and differentiation toward egg chamber formation.
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20
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Wnt6 regulates the homeostasis of the stem cell niche via Rac1-and Cdc42-mediated noncanonical Wnt signalling pathways in Drosophila testis. Exp Cell Res 2021; 402:112511. [PMID: 33582096 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The homeostasis of the stem cell niche is regulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, and the complex and ordered molecular and cellular regulatory mechanisms need to be further explored. In Drosophila testis, germline stem cells (GSCs) rely on hub cells for self-renewal and physical attachment. GSCs are also in contact with somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs). Utilizing genetic manipulation in Drosophila, we investigated the role of Wnt6 in vivo and in vitro. In Drosophila testis, we found that Wnt6 is required for GSC differentiation and CySC self-renewal. In Schneider 2 (S2) cells, we found that Wnt6 regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that Wnt6 can downregulate the expression levels of Arm, Rac1 and Cdc42 in S2 cells. Notably, Rac1 and Cdc42, which act downstream of the noncanonical Wnt signalling pathway, imitated the phenotypes of Wnt6 in Drosophila testis. Thus, the newly discovered Wnt6-Rac1/Cdc42 signal axis is required for the homeostasis of the stem cell niche in the Drosophila testis.
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21
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Finger DS, Whitehead KM, Phipps DN, Ables ET. Nuclear receptors linking physiology and germline stem cells in Drosophila. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2021; 116:327-362. [PMID: 33752824 PMCID: PMC8063499 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Maternal nutrition and physiology are intimately associated with reproductive success in diverse organisms. Despite decades of study, the molecular mechanisms linking maternal diet to the production and quality of oocytes remain poorly defined. Nuclear receptors (NRs) link nutritional signals to cellular responses and are essential for oocyte development. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is an excellent genetically tractable model to study the relationship between NR signaling and oocyte production. In this review, we explore how NRs in Drosophila regulate the earliest stages of oocyte development. Long-recognized as an essential mediator of developmental transitions, we focus on the intrinsic roles of the Ecdysone Receptor and its ligand, ecdysone, in oogenesis. We also review recent studies suggesting broader roles for NRs as regulators of maternal physiology and their impact specifically on oocyte production. We propose that NRs form the molecular basis of a broad physiological surveillance network linking maternal diet with oocyte production. Given the functional conservation between Drosophila and humans, continued experimental investigation into the molecular mechanisms by which NRs promote oogenesis will likely aid our understanding of human fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle S Finger
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Kaitlin M Whitehead
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Daniel N Phipps
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States.
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22
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Tu R, Duan B, Song X, Chen S, Scott A, Hall K, Blanck J, DeGraffenreid D, Li H, Perera A, Haug J, Xie T. Multiple Niche Compartments Orchestrate Stepwise Germline Stem Cell Progeny Differentiation. Curr Biol 2020; 31:827-839.e3. [PMID: 33357404 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The niche controls stem cell self-renewal and progenitor differentiation for maintaining adult tissue homeostasis in various organisms. However, it remains unclear whether the niche is compartmentalized to control stem cell self-renewal and stepwise progeny differentiation. In the Drosophila ovary, inner germarial sheath (IGS) cells form a niche for controlling germline stem cell (GSC) progeny differentiation. In this study, we have identified four IGS subpopulations, which form linearly arranged niche compartments for controlling GSC maintenance and multi-step progeny differentiation. Single-cell analysis of the adult ovary has identified four IGS subpopulations (IGS1-IGS4), the identities and cellular locations of which have been further confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization. IGS1 and IGS2 physically interact with GSCs and mitotic cysts to control GSC maintenance and cyst formation, respectively, whereas IGS3 and IGS4 physically interact with 16-cell cysts to regulate meiosis, oocyte development, and cyst morphological change. Finally, one follicle cell progenitor population has also been transcriptionally defined for facilitating future studies on follicle stem cell regulation. Therefore, this study has structurally revealed that the niche is organized into multiple compartments for orchestrating stepwise adult stem cell development and has also provided useful resources and tools for further functional characterization of the niche in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjun Tu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Bo Duan
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Song
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Shiyuan Chen
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Allison Scott
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Kate Hall
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jillian Blanck
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Dustin DeGraffenreid
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Hua Li
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Anoja Perera
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jeff Haug
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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23
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Zhu G, Gonzalez LE, Lin H. Piwi in the stem cell niche regulates nurse cell number and oocyte specification. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2020; 2020:10.17912/micropub.biology.000327. [PMID: 33274324 PMCID: PMC7704254 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gina Zhu
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Lauren E Gonzalez
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Haifan Lin
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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24
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Melamed D, Kalderon D. Opposing JAK-STAT and Wnt signaling gradients define a stem cell domain by regulating differentiation at two borders. eLife 2020; 9:61204. [PMID: 33135631 PMCID: PMC7695452 DOI: 10.7554/elife.61204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many adult stem cell communities are maintained by population asymmetry, where stochastic behaviors of multiple individual cells collectively result in a balance between stem cell division and differentiation. We investigated how this is achieved for Drosophila Follicle Stem Cells (FSCs) by spatially-restricted niche signals. FSCs produce transit-amplifying Follicle Cells (FCs) from their posterior face and quiescent Escort Cells (ECs) to their anterior. We show that JAK-STAT pathway activity, which declines from posterior to anterior, dictates the pattern of divisions over the FSC domain, promotes more posterior FSC locations and conversion to FCs, while opposing EC production. Wnt pathway activity declines from the anterior, promotes anterior FSC locations and EC production, and opposes FC production. The pathways combine to define a stem cell domain through concerted effects on FSC differentiation to ECs and FCs at either end of opposing signaling gradients, and impose a pattern of proliferation that matches derivative production.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Melamed
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Daniel Kalderon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, United States
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25
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Sharifkhodaei Z, Auld VJ. Overexpressed Gliotactin activates BMP signaling through interfering with the Tkv-Dad association. Genome 2020; 64:97-108. [PMID: 33064024 DOI: 10.1139/gen-2020-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial junctions ensure cell-cell adhesion and establish permeability barriers between cells. At the corners of epithelia, the tricellular junction (TCJ) is formed by three adjacent epithelial cells and generates a functional barrier. In Drosophila, a key TCJ protein is Gliotactin (Gli) where loss of Gli disrupts barrier formation and function. Conversely, overexpressed Gli spreads away from the TCJ and triggers apoptosis, delamination, and cell migration. Thus, Gli protein levels are tightly regulated and by two mechanisms, at the protein levels by tyrosine phosphorylation and endocytosis and at the mRNA level through microRNA-184. Regulation of Gli mRNA is mediated through a Gli-BMP-miR184 feedback loop. Excessive Gli triggers BMP signaling pathway through the activation of Tkv type-I BMP receptor and Mad. Elevated level of pMad induces micrRNA-184 expression which in turn targets the Gli 3'UTR and mRNA degradation. Gli activation of Tkv is not through its ligand Dpp but rather through the inhibition of Dad, an inhibitory-Smad. Here, we show that ectopic expression of Gli interferes with Tkv-Dad association by sequestering Dad away from Tkv. The reduced inhibitory effect of Dad on Tkv results in the increased Tkv-pMad signaling activity, and this effect is continuous through larval and pupal wing formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanessa J Auld
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada.,Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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26
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Lin KY, Wang WD, Lin CH, Rastegari E, Su YH, Chang YT, Liao YF, Chang YC, Pi H, Yu BY, Chen SH, Lin CY, Lu MY, Su TY, Tzou FY, Chan CC, Hsu HJ. Piwi reduction in the aged niche eliminates germline stem cells via Toll-GSK3 signaling. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3147. [PMID: 32561720 PMCID: PMC7305233 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16858-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposons are known to participate in tissue aging, but their effects on aged stem cells remain unclear. Here, we report that in the Drosophila ovarian germline stem cell (GSC) niche, aging-related reductions in expression of Piwi (a transposon silencer) derepress retrotransposons and cause GSC loss. Suppression of Piwi expression in the young niche mimics the aged niche, causing retrotransposon depression and coincident activation of Toll-mediated signaling, which promotes Glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity to degrade β-catenin. Disruption of β-catenin-E-cadherin-mediated GSC anchorage then results in GSC loss. Knocking down gypsy (a highly active retrotransposon) or toll, or inhibiting reverse transcription in the piwi-deficient niche, suppresses GSK3 activity and β-catenin degradation, restoring GSC-niche attachment. This retrotransposon-mediated impairment of aged stem cell maintenance may have relevance in many tissues, and could represent a viable therapeutic target for aging-related tissue degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Yang Lin
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Der Wang
- Department of BioAgricultural Sciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hung Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Elham Rastegari
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Han Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tzu Chang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Feng Liao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chieh Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Haiwei Pi
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Yi Yu
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hwa Chen
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yen Lin
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yeh Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Yi Su
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yang Tzou
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chiang Chan
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
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27
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Waghmare I, Wang X, Page-McCaw A. Dally-like protein sequesters multiple Wnt ligands in the Drosophila germarium. Dev Biol 2020; 464:88-102. [PMID: 32473955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cells in multicellular organisms rely on secreted ligands for development and morphogenesis. Several mechanisms modulate the availability and distribution of secreted ligands, determining their ability to signal locally and at long range from their source. One of these mechanisms is Dally-like protein (Dlp), a cell-surface glypican that exhibits biphasic functions in Drosophila wing discs, promoting Wg signaling at long-range from Wg source cells and inhibiting Wg signaling near source cells. In the germarium at the tip of the ovary, Dlp promotes long-range distribution of Wg from cap cells to follicle stem cells. However, the germarium also expresses other Wnts - Wnt2, Wnt4, and Wnt6 - that function locally in escort cells to promote oogenesis. Whether and how local functions of these Wnts are regulated remains unknown. Here we show that the dlp overexpression phenotype is multifaceted and phenocopies multiple Wnt loss-of-function phenotypes. Each aspect of dlp overexpression phenotype is suppressed by co-expression of individual Wnts, and the suppression pattern exhibited by each Wnt suggests that Wnts have functional specificity in the germarium. Further, dlp knockdown phenocopies Wnt gain-of-function phenotypes. Together these data show that Dlp inhibits the functions of each Wnt. All four Wnts co-immunoprecipitate with Dlp in S2R+ cells, suggesting that in the germarium, Dlp sequesters Wnts to inhibit local paracrine Wnt signaling. Our results indicate that Dlp modulates the availability of multiple extracellular Wnts for local paracrine Wnt signaling in the germarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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28
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Tu R, Duan B, Song X, Xie T. Dlp-mediated Hh and Wnt signaling interdependence is critical in the niche for germline stem cell progeny differentiation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz0480. [PMID: 32426496 PMCID: PMC7220319 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz0480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Although multiple signaling pathways work synergistically in various niches to control stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, it remains poorly understood how they cooperate with one another molecularly. In the Drosophila ovary, Hh and Wnt pathways function in the niche to promote germline stem cell (GSC) progeny differentiation. Here, we show that glypican Dlp-mediated Hh and Wnt signaling interdependence operates in the niche to promote GSC progeny differentiation by preventing BMP signaling. Hh/Wnt-mediated dlp repression is essential for their signaling interdependence in niche cells and for GSC progeny differentiation by preventing BMP signaling. Mechanistically, Hh and Wnt downstream transcription factors directly bind to the same dlp regulatory region and recruit corepressors composed of transcription factor Croc and Egg/H3K9 trimethylase to repress Dlp expression. Therefore, our study reveals a novel mechanism for Hh/Wnt signaling-mediated direct dlp repression and a novel regulatory mechanism for Dlp-mediated Hh/Wnt signaling interdependence in the GSC differentiation niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjun Tu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Bo Duan
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Song
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Corresponding author.
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29
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Hinnant TD, Merkle JA, Ables ET. Coordinating Proliferation, Polarity, and Cell Fate in the Drosophila Female Germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:19. [PMID: 32117961 PMCID: PMC7010594 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gametes are highly specialized cell types produced by a complex differentiation process. Production of viable oocytes requires a series of precise and coordinated molecular events. Early in their development, germ cells are an interconnected group of mitotically dividing cells. Key regulatory events lead to the specification of mature oocytes and initiate a switch to the meiotic cell cycle program. Though the chromosomal events of meiosis have been extensively studied, it is unclear how other aspects of oocyte specification are temporally coordinated. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has long been at the forefront as a model system for genetics and cell biology research. The adult Drosophila ovary continuously produces germ cells throughout the organism’s lifetime, and many of the cellular processes that occur to establish oocyte fate are conserved with mammalian gamete development. Here, we review recent discoveries from Drosophila that advance our understanding of how early germ cells balance mitotic exit with meiotic initiation. We discuss cell cycle control and establishment of cell polarity as major themes in oocyte specification. We also highlight a germline-specific organelle, the fusome, as integral to the coordination of cell division, cell polarity, and cell fate in ovarian germ cells. Finally, we discuss how the molecular controls of the cell cycle might be integrated with cell polarity and cell fate to maintain oocyte production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor D Hinnant
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Julie A Merkle
- Department of Biology, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN, United States
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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30
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Zhang H, Cai Y. Signal transduction pathways regulating Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 37:1-7. [PMID: 31726320 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Drosophila female germline stem cells (GSCs) serve as one of the best understood stem cell types. GSCs reside in a special microenvironment, the stem cell niche, and their activity is tightly regulated by niche-derived signals. In addition to the stemness-promoting signaling molecules, the niche also generates other signaling molecules that regulate GSC differentiation. Recent studies are beginning to appreciate the intricate interactions among these signaling molecules in the niche and their effects on GSC behaviour. This review summarizes recent advances to demonstrate how the niche functions as a signaling hub to integrate these niche-derived local signals as well as other organ-produced systemic signals to control GSC self-renewal and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Zhang
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 117604, Singapore
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117558, Singapore.
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31
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Zhang XB, Dong W, Li KX, Wang JJ, Shen J, Moussian B, Zhang JZ. Flexible manipulation of Omb levels in the endogenous expression region of Drosophila wing by combinational overexpression and suppression strategy. INSECT SCIENCE 2020; 27:14-21. [PMID: 31246335 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Manipulating an exogenous or endogenous gene of interest at a defined level is critical for a wide variety of experiments. The Gal4/UAS system has been widely used to direct gene expression for studying complex genetic and biological problems in Drosophila melanogaster and other model organisms. Driven by a given tissue-specific Gal4, expressing UAS-transgene or UAS-RNAi (RNA interference) could be used to up- or down-regulate target gene expression, respectively. However, the efficiency of the Gal4/UAS system is roughly predefined by properties of transposon vector constructs and the insertion site in the transgenic stock. Here, we describe a simple way to modulate optomotor blind (omb) expression levels in its endogenous expression region of the wing disc. We co-expressed UAS-omb and UAS-omb-RNAi together under the control of dpp-Gal4 driver which is expressed in the omb expression region of the wing pouch. The repression effect is more sensitive to temperature than that of overexpression. At low temperature, overexpression plays a dominant role but the efficiency is attenuated by UAS-omb-RNAi. In contrast, at high temperature RNAi predominates in gene expression regulation. By this strategy, we could manipulate omb expression levels at a moderate level. It allows us to manipulate omb expression levels in the same tissue between overexpression and repression at different stages by temperature control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Bo Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Applied Zoology, Technical University Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, Dresden, Germany
- iBV, University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Parc Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Kai-Xia Li
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Juan-Juan Wang
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Entomology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Bernard Moussian
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
- Applied Zoology, Technical University Dresden, Zellescher Weg 20b, Dresden, Germany
- iBV, University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, Parc Valrose, Nice, France
| | - Jian-Zhen Zhang
- Institute of Applied Biology, College of Life Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
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32
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Sokolova OA, Mikhaleva EA, Kharitonov SL, Abramov YA, Gvozdev VA, Klenov MS. Special vulnerability of somatic niche cells to transposable element activation in Drosophila larval ovaries. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1076. [PMID: 31974416 PMCID: PMC6978372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57901-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Drosophila ovary, somatic escort cells (ECs) form a niche that promotes differentiation of germline stem cell (GSC) progeny. The piRNA (Piwi-interacting RNA) pathway, which represses transposable elements (TEs), is required in ECs to prevent the accumulation of undifferentiated germ cells (germline tumor phenotype). The soma-specific piRNA cluster flamenco (flam) produces a substantial part of somatic piRNAs. Here, we characterized the biological effects of somatic TE activation on germ cell differentiation in flam mutants. We revealed that the choice between normal and tumorous phenotypes of flam mutant ovaries depends on the number of persisting ECs, which is determined at the larval stage. Accordingly, we found much more frequent DNA breaks in somatic cells of flam larval ovaries than in adult ECs. The absence of Chk2 or ATM checkpoint kinases dramatically enhanced oogenesis defects of flam mutants, in contrast to the germline TE-induced defects that are known to be mostly suppressed by сhk2 mutation. These results demonstrate a crucial role of checkpoint kinases in protecting niche cells against deleterious TE activation and suggest substantial differences between DNA damage responses in ovarian somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesya A Sokolova
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena A Mikhaleva
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey L Kharitonov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Laboratory of Postgenomic Research, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilova St., 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri A Abramov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir A Gvozdev
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail S Klenov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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33
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Hsu HJ, Bahader M, Lai CM. Molecular control of the female germline stem cell niche size in Drosophila. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4309-4317. [PMID: 31300869 PMCID: PMC11105562 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03223-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Adult stem cells have a unique capacity to renew themselves and generate differentiated cells that are needed in the body. These cells are recruited and maintained by the surrounding microenvironment, known as the stem cell niche, during organ development. Thus, the stem cell niche is required for proper tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation is associated with tumorigenesis and tissue degeneration. The identification of niche components and the mechanisms that regulate niche establishment and maintenance, however, are just beginning to be uncovered. Germline stem cells (GSCs) of the Drosophila ovary provide an excellent model for studying the stem cell niche in vivo because of their well-characterized cell biology and the availability of genetic tools. In this review, we introduce the ovarian GSC niche, and the key signaling pathways for niche precursor segregation, niche specification, and niche extracellular environment establishment and niche maintenance that are involved in regulating niche size during development and adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
| | - Majid Bahader
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Lai
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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34
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Ettensohn CA, Adomako-Ankomah A. The evolution of a new cell type was associated with competition for a signaling ligand. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000460. [PMID: 31532765 PMCID: PMC6768484 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is presently a very limited understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of new cell types. The skeleton-forming primary mesenchyme cells (PMCs) of euechinoid sea urchins, derived from the micromeres of the 16-cell embryo, are an example of a recently evolved cell type. All adult echinoderms have a calcite-based endoskeleton, a synapomorphy of the Ambulacraria. Only euechinoids have a micromere-PMC lineage, however, which evolved through the co-option of the adult skeletogenic program into the embryo. During normal development, PMCs alone secrete the embryonic skeleton. Other mesoderm cells, known as blastocoelar cells (BCs), have the potential to produce a skeleton, but a PMC-derived signal ordinarily prevents these cells from expressing a skeletogenic fate and directs them into an alternative developmental pathway. Recently, it was shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling plays an important role in PMC differentiation and is part of a conserved program of skeletogenesis among echinoderms. Here, we report that VEGF signaling, acting through ectoderm-derived VEGF3 and its cognate receptor, VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-10-Ig, is also essential for the deployment of the skeletogenic program in BCs. This VEGF-dependent program includes the activation of aristaless-like homeobox 1 (alx1), a conserved transcriptional regulator of skeletogenic specification across echinoderms and an example of a “terminal selector” gene that controls cell identity. We show that PMCs control BC fate by sequestering VEGF3, thereby preventing activation of alx1 and the downstream skeletogenic network in BCs. Our findings provide an example of the regulation of early embryonic cell fates by direct competition for a secreted signaling ligand, a developmental mechanism that has not been widely recognized. Moreover, they reveal that a novel cell type evolved by outcompeting other embryonic cell lineages for an essential signaling ligand that regulates the expression of a gene controlling cell identity. How do new cell types evolve? This study shows that mesoderm cells in sea urchin embryos diversified, at least in part, through a heterochronic shift in the expression of a key transcription factor, which led to competition for a signaling ligand and subsequent gene regulatory independence of the two cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A. Ettensohn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ashrifia Adomako-Ankomah
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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35
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Drummond-Barbosa D. Local and Physiological Control of Germline Stem Cell Lineages in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 2019; 213:9-26. [PMID: 31488592 PMCID: PMC6727809 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.300234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term survival of any multicellular species depends on the success of its germline in producing high-quality gametes and maximizing survival of the offspring. Studies in Drosophila melanogaster have led our growing understanding of how germline stem cell (GSC) lineages maintain their function and adjust their behavior according to varying environmental and/or physiological conditions. This review compares and contrasts the local regulation of GSCs by their specialized microenvironments, or niches; discusses how diet and diet-dependent factors, mating, and microorganisms modulate GSCs and their developing progeny; and briefly describes the tie between physiology and development during the larval phase of the germline cycle. Finally, it concludes with broad comparisons with other organisms and some future directions for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Drummond-Barbosa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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36
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Li M, Hu X, Zhang S, Ho MS, Wu G, Zhang L. Traffic jam regulates the function of the ovarian germline stem cell progeny differentiation niche during pre-adult stage in Drosophila. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10124. [PMID: 31300663 PMCID: PMC6626045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45317-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell self-renewal and the daughter cell differentiation are tightly regulated by the respective niches, which produce extrinsic cues to support the proper development. In Drosophila ovary, Dpp is secreted from germline stem cell (GSC) niche and activates the BMP signaling in GSCs for their self-renewal. Escort cells (ECs) in differentiation niche restrict Dpp outside the GSC niche and extend protrusions to help with proper differentiation of the GSC daughter cells. Here we provide evidence that loss of large Maf transcriptional factor Traffic jam (Tj) blocks GSC progeny differentiation. Spatio-temporal specific knockdown experiments indicate that Tj is required in pre-adult EC lineage for germline differentiation control. Further molecular and genetic analyses suggest that the defective germline differentiation caused by tj-depletion is partly attributed to the elevated dpp in the differentiation niche. Moreover, our study reveals that tj-depletion induces ectopic En expression outside the GSC niche, which contributes to the upregulated dpp expression in ECs as well as GSC progeny differentiation defect. Alternatively, loss of EC protrusions and decreased EC number elicited by tj-depletion may also partially contribute to the germline differentiation defect. Collectively, our findings suggest that Tj in ECs regulates germline differentiation by controlling the differentiation niche characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaolong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Margaret S Ho
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Geng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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37
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Mao Y, Tu R, Huang Y, Mao D, Yang Z, Lau PK, Wang J, Ni J, Guo Y, Xie T. The exocyst functions in niche cells to promote germline stem cell differentiation by directly controlling EGFR membrane trafficking. Development 2019; 146:dev.174615. [PMID: 31142545 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The niche controls stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in animal tissues. Although the exocyst is known to be important for protein membrane trafficking and secretion, its role in stem cells and niches has never been reported. Here, this study shows that the exocyst functions in the niche to promote germline stem cell (GSC) progeny differentiation in the Drosophila ovary by directly regulating EGFR membrane trafficking and signaling. Inactivation of exocyst components in inner germarial sheath cells, which form the differentiation niche, causes a severe GSC differentiation defect. The exocyst is required for maintaining niche cells and preventing BMP signaling in GSC progeny by promoting EGFR membrane targeting and signaling through direct association with EGFR. Finally, it is also required for EGFR membrane targeting, recycling and signaling in human cells. Therefore, this study reveals a novel function of the exocyst in niche cells to promote stem cell progeny differentiation by directly controlling EGFR membrane trafficking and signaling in vivo, and also provides important insight into how the niche controls stem cell progeny differentiation at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Mao
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Renjun Tu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Yan Huang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Decai Mao
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhihao Yang
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Pik Ki Lau
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianquan Ni
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yusong Guo
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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Lu Y, Yao Y, Li Z. Ectopic Dpp signaling promotes stem cell competition through EGFR signaling in the Drosophila testis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6118. [PMID: 30992503 PMCID: PMC6467874 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42630-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell competition could select the fittest stem cells and potentially control tumorigenesis. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we find that ectopic Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signal activation by expressing a constitutively active form of Thickveins (TkvCA) in cyst stem cells (CySCs) leads to competition between CySCs and germline stem cells (GSCs) for niche occupancy and GSC loss. GSCs are displaced from the niche and undergo differentiation. Interestingly, we find that induction of TkvCA results in elevated expression of vein, which further activates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling in CySCs to promote their proliferation and compete GSCs out of the niche. Our findings elucidate the important role of Dpp signaling in regulating stem cell competition and tumorigenesis, which could be shed light on tumorigenesis and cancer treatment in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Lu
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, No. 7 Beinong Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Yuncong Yao
- College of Plant Science and Technology, Beijing University of Agriculture, No. 7 Beinong Road, Changping District, Beijing, 102206, China.
| | - Zhouhua Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, 100048, China.
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Gupta S, Varshney B, Chatterjee S, Ray K. Somatic ERK activation during transit amplification is essential for maintaining the synchrony of germline divisions in Drosophila testis. Open Biol 2019; 8:rsob.180033. [PMID: 30045884 PMCID: PMC6070716 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.180033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Transit amplification (TA) of progenitor cells maintains tissue homeostasis by balancing proliferation and differentiation. In Drosophila testis, the germline proliferation is tightly regulated by factors present in both the germline and the neighbouring somatic cyst cells (SCCs). Although the exact mechanism is unclear, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation in SCCs has been reported to control spermatogonial divisions within a cyst, through downstream activations of Rac1-dependent pathways. Here, we report that somatic activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (Rolled/ERK) downstream of EGFR is required to synchronize the mitotic divisions and regulate the transition to meiosis. The process operates independently of the Bag-of-marble activity in the germline. Also, the integrity of the somatic cyst enclosure is inessential for this purpose. Together, these results suggest that synchronization of germ-cell divisions through somatic activation of distinct ERK-downstream targets independently regulates TA and subsequent differentiation of neighbouring germline cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Gupta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Bhavana Varshney
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Shambhabi Chatterjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
| | - Krishanu Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai 400005, India
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40
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Gao Y, Mao Y, Xu RG, Zhu R, Zhang M, Sun J, Shen D, Peng P, Xie T, Ni JQ. Defining gene networks controlling the maintenance and function of the differentiation niche by an in vivo systematic RNAi screen. J Genet Genomics 2019; 46:19-30. [PMID: 30745214 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2018.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
In the Drosophila ovary, escort cells (ECs) extrinsically control germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance and progeny differentiation. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we identified 173 EC genes for their roles in controlling GSC maintenance and progeny differentiation by using an in vivo systematic RNAi approach. Of the identified genes, 10 and 163 are required in ECs to promote GSC maintenance and progeny differentiation, respectively. The genes required for progeny differentiation fall into different functional categories, including transcription, mRNA splicing, protein degradation, signal transduction and cytoskeleton regulation. In addition, the GSC progeny differentiation defects caused by defective ECs are often associated with BMP signaling elevation, indicating that preventing BMP signaling is a general functional feature of the differentiation niche. Lastly, exon junction complex (EJC) components, which are essential for mRNA splicing, are required in ECs to promote GSC progeny differentiation by maintaining ECs and preventing BMP signaling. Therefore, this study has identified the major regulators of the differentiation niche, which provides important insights into how stem cell progeny differentiation is extrinsically controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ying Mao
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Rong-Gang Xu
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Gene Regulatory Lab, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ruibao Zhu
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Gene Regulatory Lab, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Jin Sun
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Gene Regulatory Lab, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Da Shen
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Gene Regulatory Lab, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ping Peng
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Gene Regulatory Lab, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50(th) Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA.
| | - Jian-Quan Ni
- Gene Regulatory Lab, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Tsingdao Advanced Research Institute, Tongji University, Qingdao, 266000, China.
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41
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42
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Ameku T, Yoshinari Y, Texada MJ, Kondo S, Amezawa K, Yoshizaki G, Shimada-Niwa Y, Niwa R. Midgut-derived neuropeptide F controls germline stem cell proliferation in a mating-dependent manner. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e2005004. [PMID: 30248087 PMCID: PMC6152996 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2005004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell maintenance is established by neighboring niche cells that promote stem cell self-renewal. However, it is poorly understood how stem cell activity is regulated by systemic, tissue-extrinsic signals in response to environmental cues and changes in physiological status. Here, we show that neuropeptide F (NPF) signaling plays an important role in the pathway regulating mating-induced germline stem cell (GSC) proliferation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. NPF expressed in enteroendocrine cells (EECs) of the midgut is released in response to the seminal-fluid protein sex peptide (SP) upon mating. This midgut-derived NPF controls mating-induced GSC proliferation via ovarian NPF receptor (NPFR) activity, which modulates bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling levels in GSCs. Our study provides a molecular mechanism that describes how a gut-derived systemic factor couples stem cell behavior to physiological status, such as mating, through interorgan communication. Communication between different organs is essential to respond quickly to environmental cues or changes in the physiological status of an organism. Recent studies have shown the existence of humoral factors or hormones, which are transported by the circulatory system to different organs and achieve coordination between them. Here, we have analyzed the communication mechanism between organs that regulates proliferation of germline stem cells (GSCs) in the ovary of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. We show that a peptide hormone called neuropeptide F (NPF) is a key player in this process. This peptide is produced in both the brain and the midgut, and, remarkably, we find that only NPF released from the midgut is crucial for controlling post-mating GSC proliferation. Our data suggest that mating stimulates the release of NPF from the endocrine cells of the midgut stimulated by the presence of a seminal peptide. Midgut-derived NPF is then transduced through an NPF-specific G-protein–coupled receptor expressed in the ovary, and this triggers GSC proliferation. Our study identifies an essential interaction between the digestive system and the ovary that regulates the size of stem cell populations in flies depending on mating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomotsune Ameku
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuto Yoshinari
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Michael J Texada
- Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Shu Kondo
- Genetic Strains Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Kotaro Amezawa
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Goro Yoshizaki
- Department of Marine Biosciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Shimada-Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Japan.,AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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43
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Tseng CY, Su YH, Yang SM, Lin KY, Lai CM, Rastegari E, Amartuvshin O, Cho Y, Cai Y, Hsu HJ. Smad-Independent BMP Signaling in Somatic Cells Limits the Size of the Germline Stem Cell Pool. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:811-827. [PMID: 30122445 PMCID: PMC6135924 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In developing organisms, proper tuning of the number of stem cells within a niche is critical for the maintenance of adult tissues; however, the involved mechanisms remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Thickveins (Tkv), a type I bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor, acts in the Drosophila developing ovarian soma through a Smad-independent pathway to shape the distribution of BMP signal within the niche, impacting germline stem cell (GSC) recruitment and maintenance. Somatic Tkv promotes Egfr signaling to silence transcription of Dally, which localizes BMP signals on the cell surface. In parallel, Tkv promotes Hh signaling, which promotes escort cell cellular protrusions and upregulates expression of the Drosophila BMP homolog, Dpp, forming a positive feedback loop that enhances Tkv signaling and strengthens the niche boundary. Our results reveal a role for non-canonical BMP signaling in the soma during GSC establishment and generally illustrate how complex, cell-specific BMP signaling mediates niche-stem cell interactions. Tkv, a BMP receptor, in the developing ovarian soma controls fertility Knockdown Tkv in the developing soma causes ectopic germline stem cell (GSC) accumulation Tkv in the soma controls GSC number by limiting BMPs within the GSC niche BMP-Tkv signaling in the soma limits GSC number via Egfr and Hh signaling
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yuan Tseng
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Han Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Min Yang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yang Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Lai
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Elham Rastegari
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Oyundari Amartuvshin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yueh Cho
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Science Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei 11529, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biotechnology and Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan.
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44
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Huang Y, Hatakeyama M, Shimmi O. Wing vein development in the sawfly Athalia rosae is regulated by spatial transcription of Dpp/BMP signaling components. ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2018; 47:408-415. [PMID: 29596913 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Wing venation among insects serves as an excellent model to address how diversified patterns are produced. Previous studies suggest that evolutionarily conserved Decapentaplegic (Dpp)/Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signal plays a critical role in wing vein development in the dipteran Drosophila melanogaster and the hymenopteran sawfly Athalia rosae. In sawfly, dpp is ubiquitously expressed in the wing during prepupal stages, but Dpp/BMP signal is localized in the future vein cells. Since localized BMP signaling involves BMP binding protein Crossveinless (Cv), redistribution of BMP ligands appears to be crucial for sawfly wing vein formation. However, how ubiquitously expressed ligands lead to a localized signal remains to be addressed. Here, we found that BMP binding protein short gastrulation (Sog) is highly expressed in the intervein cells. Our data also reveal that BMP type I receptors thickveins (Tkv) and saxophone (Sax) are highly expressed in intervein cells and at lower levels in the vein progenitor cells. RNAi knockdown of Ar-tkv or Ar-sax indicates that both receptors are required for localized BMP signaling in the wing vein progenitor cells. Taken together, our data suggest that spatial transcription of core- and co-factors of the BMP pathway sustain localized BMP signaling during sawfly wing vein development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxian Huang
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Masatsugu Hatakeyama
- Division of Applied Genetics, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Owashi, Tsukuba, 305-8634, Japan.
| | - Osamu Shimmi
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 65 (Viikinkaari 1), 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
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45
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Xu R, Li J, Zhao H, Kong R, Wei M, Shi L, Bai G, Li Z. Self-restrained regulation of stem cell niche activity by niche components in the Drosophila testis. Dev Biol 2018; 439:42-51. [PMID: 29679558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2018.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Most, if not all, stem cells reside in a defined microenvironment, called the niche. Short-ranged niche signal must be tightly controlled to be active only inside the niche to maintain the proper balance of stem cell self-renewal verse differentiation. However, how niche components restrict localized niche signal activation remains largely unknown. Here, we find that Thickveins (Tkv, a type I receptor of the Dpp signaling pathway) in cyst stem cells (CySCs) of the testis niche prevents Dpp signaling activation outside of the niche. We show that Tkv functions as Dpp trap/sink to spatially restrain Dpp signaling inside the niche. This self-restrained regulation of niche activity by Tkv in CySCs is independent of the canonical Dpp signaling pathway. Our data demonstrate the critical roles of niche components (CySCs) in the self-restrained regulation of niche activity, which could be shed light on niche activity regulation in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Jing Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Ruiyan Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Min Wei
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Lin Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Guang Bai
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhouhua Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.
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46
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Waghmare I, Page-McCaw A. Wnt Signaling in Stem Cell Maintenance and Differentiation in the Drosophila Germarium. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9030127. [PMID: 29495453 PMCID: PMC5867848 DOI: 10.3390/genes9030127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is a conserved regulator of stem cell behaviors, and the Drosophila germarium has been an important model tissue for the study of stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and proliferation. Here we review Wnt signaling in the germarium, which houses two distinct types of ovarian stem cells: the anteriorly located germline stem cells (GSCs), which give rise to oocytes; and the mid-posteriorly located follicle stem cells (FSCs), which give rise to the somatic follicle cells that cover a developing oocyte. The maintenance and proliferation of GSCs and FSCs is regulated by the stem cell niches, whereas differentiation of the germline is regulated by the differentiation niche. Four distinct Wnt ligands are localized in the germarium, and we focus review on how these Wnt ligands and Wnt signaling affects maintenance and differentiation of both germline and follicle stem cells in their respective niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
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47
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Wang X, Page-McCaw A. Wnt6 maintains anterior escort cells as an integral component of the germline stem cell niche. Development 2018; 145:dev.158527. [PMID: 29361569 PMCID: PMC5818006 DOI: 10.1242/dev.158527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells reside in a niche, a local environment whose cellular and molecular complexity is still being elucidated. In Drosophila ovaries, germline stem cells depend on cap cells for self-renewing signals and physical attachment. Germline stem cells also contact the anterior escort cells, and here we report that anterior escort cells are absolutely required for germline stem cell maintenance. When escort cells die from impaired Wnt signaling or hid expression, the loss of anterior escort cells causes loss of germline stem cells. Anterior escort cells function as an integral niche component by promoting DE-cadherin anchorage and by transiently expressing the Dpp ligand to promote full-strength BMP signaling in germline stem cells. Anterior escort cells are maintained by Wnt6 ligands produced by cap cells; without Wnt6 signaling, anterior escort cells die leaving vacancies in the niche, leading to loss of germline stem cells. Our data identify anterior escort cells as constituents of the germline stem cell niche, maintained by a cap cell-produced Wnt6 survival signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
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48
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Inaba M, Yamashita YM, Buszczak M. Keeping stem cells under control: New insights into the mechanisms that limit niche-stem cell signaling within the reproductive system. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 83:675-83. [PMID: 27434704 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Adult stem cells reside in specialized microenvironments, called niches, that maintain stem cells in an undifferentiated and self-renewing state. Defining and understanding the mechanisms that restrict niche signaling exclusively to stem cells is crucial to determine how stem cells undergo self-renewal while their progeny, often located just one cell diameter away from the niche, differentiate. Despite extensive studies on the signaling pathways that operate within stem cells and their niches, how this segregation occurs remains elusive. Here we review recent progress on the characterization of niche-stem cell interactions, with a focus on emerging mechanisms that spatially restrict niche signaling. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 675-683, 2016 © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayu Inaba
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yukiko M Yamashita
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology Medical School, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael Buszczak
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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49
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Su YH, Rastegri E, Kao SH, Lai CM, Lin KY, Liao HY, Wang MH, Hsu HJ. Diet regulates membrane extension and survival of niche escort cells for germline homeostasis via insulin signaling. Development 2018; 145:dev.159186. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.159186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Diet is an important regulator of stem cell homeostasis, however, the underlying mechanisms of this regulation are not fully known. Here, we report that insulin signaling mediates dietary maintenance of Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) by promoting the extension of niche escort cell (EC) membranes to wrap around GSCs. This wrapping may facilitate the delivery of BMP stemness factors from ECs in the niche to GSCs. In addition to the effects on GSCs, insulin signaling-mediated regulation of EC number and protrusions controls the division and growth of GSC progeny. The effects of insulin signaling on EC membrane extension are, at least in part, driven by enhanced translation of Failed axon connections (Fax) via Ribosomal protein S6 kinase. Fax is a membrane protein that may participate in Abl-regulated cytoskeletal dynamics and is known to be involved in axon bundle formation. Therefore, we conclude that dietary cues stimulate insulin signaling in the niche to regulate EC cellular structure, probably via Fax-dependent cytoskeleton remodeling. This mechanism enhances intercellular contact and facilitates homeostatic interactions between somatic and germline cells in response to diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Elham Rastegri
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Kao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Min Lai
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yang Lin
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Liao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hsiang Wang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Salz HK, Dawson EP, Heaney JD. Germ cell tumors: Insights from the Drosophila ovary and the mouse testis. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:200-211. [PMID: 28079292 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors of young adults are thought to arise from defects in germ cell development, but the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant transformation are poorly understood. In this review, we focus on the biology of germ cell tumor formation in the Drosophila ovary and the mouse testis, for which evidence supports common underlying mechanisms, such as blocking initiation into the differentiation pathway, impaired lineage progression, and sexual identity instability. We then discuss how these concepts inform our understanding of the disease in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 200-211, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Emily P Dawson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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