1
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Kong R, Zhao H, Li J, Ma Y, Li N, Shi L, Li Z. A regulatory loop of JAK/STAT signalling and its downstream targets represses cell fate conversion and maintains male germline stem cell niche homeostasis. Cell Prolif 2024:e13648. [PMID: 38987866 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A specialised microenvironment, termed niche, provides extrinsic signals for the maintenance of residential stem cells. However, how residential stem cells maintain niche homeostasis and whether stromal niche cells could convert their fate into stem cells to replenish lost stem cells upon systemic stem cell loss remain largely unknown. Here, through systemic identification of JAK/STAT downstream targets in adult Drosophila testis, we show that Escargot (Esg), a member of the Snail family of transcriptional factors, is a putative JAK/STAT downstream target. esg is intrinsically required in cyst stem cells (CySCs) but not in germline stem cells (GSCs). esg depletion in CySCs results in CySC loss due to differentiation and non-cell autonomous GSC loss. Interestingly, hub cells are gradually lost by delaminating from the hub and converting into CySCs in esg-defective testes. Mechanistically, esg directly represses the expression of socs36E, the well-known downstream target and negative regulator of JAK/STAT signalling. Finally, further depletion of socs36E completely rescues the defects observed in esg-defective testes. Collectively, JAK/STAT target Esg suppresses SOCS36E to maintain CySC fate and repress niche cell conversion. Thus, our work uncovers a regulatory loop between JAK/STAT signalling and its downstream targets in controlling testicular niche homeostasis under physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Kong
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Li
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yankun Ma
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ningfang Li
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Shi
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhouhua Li
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
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2
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Hof-Michel S, Cigoja L, Huhn S, Bökel C. Rel governs loser elimination during stem cell competition in the Drosophila testis. Eur J Cell Biol 2024; 103:151375. [PMID: 37995529 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151375] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Drosophila testis, a group of stromal cells termed hub provides multiple niche signals for the surrounding germline and somatic stem cells. Stem cells of both populations compete for physical retention in the niche, and clones unable to transduce any one niche signal are rapidly eliminated from the stem cell pool by differentiation. We have mapped the transcriptomes of isolated somatic cyst stem cells and differentiated cyst cells, and found that the stem cells but not their differentiated progeny exhibit the signature of an innate immune response including the NF-κB transcription factor Relish (Rel). Related signalling pathways had previously implicated in cell competition in larval epithelia, prompting the question of whether NF-κB signalling was, despite the clear differences between the two competition scenarios, also involved in stem cell competition in the testis. Here we show i) that in the testis Rel is dispensable for stemness, ii) that loss of Rel or the upstream receptor Toll suppresses loser elimination following a variety of different triggers used to induce loser fate, and iii) that clonal Rel activation is sufficient for the displacement of neutral or winner cells from the niche, even if these cells otherwise retain stem cell properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Hof-Michel
- Dept. of Developmental Genetics, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Ljubinka Cigoja
- Dept. of Developmental Genetics, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sabina Huhn
- Dept. of Developmental Genetics, Philipps University Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Str. 8, 35043 Marburg, Germany
| | - Christian Bökel
- Core Facility Confocal and Multiphoton Microscopy, Universität Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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3
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Tixi W, Maldonado M, Chang YT, Chiu A, Yeung W, Parveen N, Nelson MS, Hart R, Wang S, Hsu WJ, Fueger P, Kopp JL, Huising MO, Dhawan S, Shih HP. Coordination between ECM and cell-cell adhesion regulates the development of islet aggregation, architecture, and functional maturation. eLife 2023; 12:e90006. [PMID: 37610090 PMCID: PMC10482429 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90006] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic islets are three-dimensional cell aggregates consisting of unique cellular composition, cell-to-cell contacts, and interactions with blood vessels. Cell aggregation is essential for islet endocrine function; however, it remains unclear how developing islets establish aggregation. By combining genetic animal models, imaging tools, and gene expression profiling, we demonstrate that islet aggregation is regulated by extracellular matrix signaling and cell-cell adhesion. Islet endocrine cell-specific inactivation of extracellular matrix receptor integrin β1 disrupted blood vessel interactions but promoted cell-cell adhesion and the formation of larger islets. In contrast, ablation of cell-cell adhesion molecule α-catenin promoted blood vessel interactions yet compromised islet clustering. Simultaneous removal of integrin β1 and α-catenin disrupts islet aggregation and the endocrine cell maturation process, demonstrating that establishment of islet aggregates is essential for functional maturation. Our study provides new insights into understanding the fundamental self-organizing mechanism for islet aggregation, architecture, and functional maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilma Tixi
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Maricela Maldonado
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, California State University, Long BeachLong BeachUnited States
| | - Ya-Ting Chang
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Amy Chiu
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Wilson Yeung
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Nazia Parveen
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Michael S Nelson
- Light Microscopy Core, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Ryan Hart
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Shihao Wang
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Wu Jih Hsu
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Patrick Fueger
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Endocrinology, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Janel L Kopp
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Mark O Huising
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
- Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology, School of Medicine, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Sangeeta Dhawan
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
| | - Hung Ping Shih
- Department of Translational Research and Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes and Metabolism Research Institute, Beckman Research Institute, City of HopeDuarteUnited States
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Hauptman G, Reichert MC, Abdal Rhida MA, Evans TA. Characterization of enhancer fragments in Drosophila robo2. Fly (Austin) 2022; 16:312-346. [PMID: 36217698 PMCID: PMC9559326 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2022.2126259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor proteins of the Roundabout (Robo) family regulate axon guidance decisions during nervous system development. Among the three Drosophila robo family genes (robo1, robo2 and robo3), robo2 displays a dynamic expression pattern and regulates multiple axon guidance outcomes, including preventing midline crossing in some axons, promoting midline crossing in others, forming lateral longitudinal axon pathways, and regulating motor axon guidance. The identity and location of enhancer elements regulating robo2's complex and dynamic expression pattern in different neural cell types are unknown. Here, we characterize a set of 17 transgenic lines expressing GAL4 under the control of DNA sequences derived from noncoding regions in and around robo2, to identify enhancers controlling specific aspects of robo2 expression in the embryonic ventral nerve cord. We identify individual fragments that confer expression in specific cell types where robo2 is known to function, including early pioneer neurons, midline glia and lateral longitudinal neurons. Our results indicate that robo2's dynamic expression pattern is specified by a combination of enhancer elements that are active in different subsets of cells. We show that robo2's expression in lateral longitudinal axons represents two genetically separable subsets of neurons, and compare their axon projections with each other and with Fasciclin II (FasII), a commonly used marker of longitudinal axon pathways. In addition, we provide a general description of each fragment's expression in embryonic tissues outside of the nervous system, to serve as a resource for other researchers interested in robo2 expression and its functional roles outside the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Hauptman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
| | - Marie C. Reichert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
| | - Muna A. Abdal Rhida
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
- Department of Biology, Wasit University, Iraq
| | - Timothy A. Evans
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
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Laws KM, Bashaw GJ. Diverse roles for axon guidance pathways in adult tissue architecture and function. NATURAL SCIENCES (WEINHEIM, GERMANY) 2022; 2:e20220021. [PMID: 37456985 PMCID: PMC10346896 DOI: 10.1002/ntls.20220021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Classical axon guidance ligands and their neuronal receptors were first identified due to their fundamental roles in regulating connectivity in the developing nervous system. Since their initial discovery, it has become clear that these signaling molecules play important roles in the development of a broad array of tissue and organ systems across phylogeny. In addition to these diverse developmental roles, there is a growing appreciation that guidance signaling pathways have important functions in adult organisms, including the regulation of tissue integrity and homeostasis. These roles in adult organisms include both tissue-intrinsic activities of guidance molecules, as well as systemic effects on tissue maintenance and function mediated by the nervous and vascular systems. While many of these adult functions depend on mechanisms that mirror developmental activities, such as regulating adhesion and cell motility, there are also examples of adult roles that may reflect signaling activities that are distinct from known developmental mechanisms, including the contributions of guidance signaling pathways to lineage commitment in the intestinal epithelium and bone remodeling in vertebrates. In this review, we highlight studies of guidance receptors and their ligands in adult tissues outside of the nervous system, focusing on in vivo experimental contexts. Together, these studies lay the groundwork for future investigation into the conserved and tissue-specific mechanisms of guidance receptor signaling in adult tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin M. Laws
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Current address: Department of Biology, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, VA 23005, USA
| | - Greg J. Bashaw
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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6
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Genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening identified G protein pathway suppressor 2 as a novel tumor suppressor for uveal melanoma metastasis. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022:10.1007/s00432-022-04160-5. [PMID: 35941228 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04160-5] [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: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common intraocular malignant tumor in adults. Due to the lack of effective treatments for metastatic UM, the survival of UM has not changed over the past 3 decades. Therefore, it is important to identify essential genes regulating the metastasis of UM. METHODS In this study, a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen in an orthotopic mouse model of UM was performed to identify the regulatory genes conferring the metastatic phenotype. Loss-of-function analyses were performed to explore the function of G protein pathway suppressor 2 (GPS2) in UM metastasis in vitro and in vivo. RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the function of GPS2 as a tumor suppressor in UM. RESULTS Among the highest-ranking genes, we found several validated tumor suppressors, such as SHPRH, GPS2, PRPH2, and hsa-mir-1229; GPS2 was chosen as the candidate gene for further studies. GPS2 was lower expressed in the tumor tissues of UM patients. Furthermore, knocking-down GPS2 promoted the proliferation and metastatic abilities of UM cells both in vivo and in vitro. Finally, analysis of the transcriptome data revealed that silencing GPS2 upregulates oncogenic signaling pathways MAPK and PI3K-Akt, and in the meantime downregulates tumor suppressor signaling pathway Slit/Robo in UM cells. CONCLUSION Altogether, our study proved that the GPS2 gene functions as a tumor suppressor and might be a novel potential therapeutic target for UM treatment.
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de Torres-Jurado A, Manzanero-Ortiz S, Carmena A. Glial-secreted Netrins regulate Robo1/Rac1-Cdc42 signaling threshold levels during Drosophila asymmetric neural stem/progenitor cell division. Curr Biol 2022; 32:2174-2188.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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8
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Tseng CY, Burel M, Cammer M, Harsh S, Flaherty MS, Baumgartner S, Bach EA. chinmo-mutant spermatogonial stem cells cause mitotic drive by evicting non-mutant neighbors from the niche. Dev Cell 2022; 57:80-94.e7. [PMID: 34942115 PMCID: PMC8752517 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Niches maintain a finite pool of stem cells via restricted space and short-range signals. Stem cells compete for limited niche resources, but the mechanisms regulating competition are poorly understood. Using the Drosophila testis model, we show that germline stem cells (GSCs) lacking the transcription factor Chinmo gain a competitive advantage for niche access. Surprisingly, chinmo-/- GSCs rely on a new mechanism of competition in which they secrete the extracellular matrix protein Perlecan to selectively evict non-mutant GSCs and then upregulate Perlecan-binding proteins to remain in the altered niche. Over time, the GSC pool can be entirely replaced with chinmo-/- cells. As a consequence, the mutant chinmo allele acts as a gene drive element; the majority of offspring inherit the allele despite the heterozygous genotype of the parent. Our results suggest that the influence of GSC competition may extend beyond individual stem cell niche dynamics to population-level allelic drift and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yuan Tseng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Burel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Cammer
- DART Microscopy Laboratory, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sneh Harsh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maria Sol Flaherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Stefan Baumgartner
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lunds Universitet, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78467 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Erika A Bach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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9
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Yuen AC, Hillion KH, Wang R, Amoyel M. Germ cells commit somatic stem cells to differentiation following priming by PI3K/Tor activity in the Drosophila testis. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009609. [PMID: 34898607 PMCID: PMC8699969 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009609] [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: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
How and when potential becomes restricted in differentiating stem cell daughters is poorly understood. While it is thought that signals from the niche are actively required to prevent differentiation, another model proposes that stem cells can reversibly transit between multiple states, some of which are primed, but not committed, to differentiate. In the Drosophila testis, somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) generate cyst cells, which encapsulate the germline to support its development. We find that CySCs are maintained independently of niche self-renewal signals if activity of the PI3K/Tor pathway is inhibited. Conversely, PI3K/Tor is not sufficient alone to drive differentiation, suggesting that it acts to license cells for differentiation. Indeed, we find that the germline is required for differentiation of CySCs in response to PI3K/Tor elevation, indicating that final commitment to differentiation involves several steps and intercellular communication. We propose that CySC daughter cells are plastic, that their fate depends on the availability of neighbouring germ cells, and that PI3K/Tor acts to induce a primed state for CySC daughters to enable coordinated differentiation with the germline. Stem cells are unique in their ability to regenerate adult tissues by dividing to provide new stem cells, a process called self-renewal, and cells that will differentiate and maintain tissue function. How and when the daughters that differentiate lose the ability to self-renew is still poorly understood. Self-renewal depends on signals that are provided by the supportive micro-environment, or niche, in which the stem cells reside. It was assumed that simply losing access to this environment and the signals it provides was sufficient to direct differentiation. Here we use the Drosophila testis as a model to show that this is not the case. Instead, differentiation must be actively induced by signalling, and stem cells deprived of all signals can be maintained. Studying the relative timings of the various inputs into differentiation leads us to propose that a series of events ensure appropriate differentiation. First, stem cells receive differentiation-inducing signals that promote a permissive, or primed, state which is reversible and does not preclude self-renewal. The final commitment comes from interacting with other cells in the tissue, ensuring that differentiation always occurs in a coordinated manner among the different cell types composing this tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice C. Yuen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kenzo-Hugo Hillion
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ruoxu Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marc Amoyel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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10
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Bach DM, Holzman MA, Wague F, Miranda JL, Lopatkin AJ, Mansfield JH, Snow JW. Thermal stress induces tissue damage and a broad shift in regenerative signaling pathways in the honey bee digestive tract. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272039. [PMID: 34477881 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Honey bee colonies in the USA have suffered from increased die-off in the last few years with a complex set of interacting stresses playing a key role. With changing climate, an increase in the frequency of severe weather events, such as heat waves, is anticipated. Understanding how these changes may contribute to stress in honey bees is crucial. Individual honey bees appear to have a high capacity to endure thermal stress. One reason for this high-level endurance is likely their robust heat shock response (HSR), which contributes to thermotolerance at the cellular level. However, less is known about other mechanisms of thermotolerance, especially those operating at the tissue level. To elucidate other determinants of resilience in this species, we used thermal stress coupled with RNAseq and identified broad transcriptional remodeling of a number of key signaling pathways in the honey bee, including those pathways known to be involved in digestive tract regeneration in the fruit fly such as the Hippo and JAK/STAT pathways. We also observed cell death and shedding of epithelial cells, which likely leads to induction of this regenerative transcriptional program. We found that thermal stress affects many of these pathways in other tissues, suggesting a shared program of damage response. This study provides important foundational characterization of the tissue damage response program in this key pollinating species. In addition, our data suggest that a robust regeneration program may also be a critical contributor to thermotolerance at the tissue level, a possibility which warrants further exploration in this and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunay M Bach
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Fatoumata Wague
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jj L Miranda
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Allison J Lopatkin
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Data Science Institute , Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Snow
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
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Guzmán-Palma P, Contreras EG, Mora N, Smith M, González-Ramírez MC, Campusano JM, Sierralta J, Hassan BA, Oliva C. Slit/Robo Signaling Regulates Multiple Stages of the Development of the Drosophila Motion Detection System. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:612645. [PMID: 33968921 PMCID: PMC8097104 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.612645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis is achieved through a sequence of steps that include specification and differentiation of progenitors into mature neurons. Frequently, precursors migrate to distinct positions before terminal differentiation. The Slit-Robo pathway, formed by the secreted ligand Slit and its membrane bound receptor Robo, was first discovered as a regulator of axonal growth. However, today, it is accepted that this pathway can regulate different cellular processes even outside the nervous system. Since most of the studies performed in the nervous system have been focused on axonal and dendritic growth, it is less clear how versatile is this signaling pathway in the developing nervous system. Here we describe the participation of the Slit-Robo pathway in the development of motion sensitive neurons of the Drosophila visual system. We show that Slit and Robo receptors are expressed in different stages during the neurogenesis of motion sensitive neurons. Furthermore, we find that Slit and Robo regulate multiple aspects of their development including neuronal precursor migration, cell segregation between neural stem cells and daughter cells and formation of their connectivity pattern. Specifically, loss of function of slit or robo receptors in differentiated motion sensitive neurons impairs dendritic targeting, while knocking down robo receptors in migratory progenitors or neural stem cells leads to structural defects in the adult optic lobe neuropil, caused by migration and cell segregation defects during larval development. Thus, our work reveals the co-option of the Slit-Robo signaling pathway in distinct developmental stages of a neural lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Guzmán-Palma
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esteban G Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Natalia Mora
- Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Macarena Smith
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - M Constanza González-Ramírez
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jorge M Campusano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jimena Sierralta
- Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Bassem A Hassan
- Institut du Cerveau-Paris Brain Institute (ICM), Inserm, CNRS, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Carlos Oliva
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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12
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Zhou H, Whitworth C, Pozmanter C, Neville MC, Van Doren M. Doublesex regulates fruitless expression to promote sexual dimorphism of the gonad stem cell niche. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009468. [PMID: 33788836 PMCID: PMC8041189 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Doublesex (Dsx) and Fruitless (Fru) are the two downstream transcription factors that actuate Drosophila sex determination. While Dsx assists Fru to regulate sex-specific behavior, whether Fru collaborates with Dsx in regulating other aspects of sexual dimorphism remains unknown. One important aspect of sexual dimorphism is found in the gonad stem cell (GSC) niches, where male and female GSCs are regulated to create large numbers of sperm and eggs. Here we report that Fru is expressed male-specifically in the GSC niche and plays important roles in the development and maintenance of these cells. Unlike previously-studied aspects of sex-specific Fru expression, which are regulated by Transformer (Tra)-mediated alternative splicing, we show that male-specific expression of fru in the gonad is regulated downstream of dsx, and is independent of tra. fru genetically interacts with dsx to support maintenance of the niche throughout development. Ectopic expression of fru inhibited female niche formation and partially masculinized the ovary. fru is also required autonomously for cyst stem cell maintenance and cyst cell survival. Finally, we identified a conserved Dsx binding site upstream of fru promoter P4 that regulates fru expression in the niche, indicating that fru is likely a direct target for transcriptional regulation by Dsx. These findings demonstrate that fru acts outside the nervous system to influence sexual dimorphism and reveal a new mechanism for regulating sex-specific expression of fru that is regulated at the transcriptional level by Dsx, rather than by alternative splicing by Tra. In animals, the process of sex determination controls the development of sexual dimorphism—the differences in appearance, physiology and behavior observed between males and females of a species. These differences are important for key functions such as sexual reproduction, and also influence other characteristics such as sex-specific disease progression. An important family of transcription factors, the Doublesex, mab-3 Related Transcription factors (DMRTs) control sex-specific development, particularly in the gonads, in most or all animals where they have been studied. Thus, an essential question in biology is how do the DMRTs control sex-specific development? In Drosophila, another set of transcription factors, encoded by the fruitless (fru) gene, controls sex-specific development of the nervous system and is thought to be regulated independently of the Drosophila DMRT Doublesex (Dsx). Here we present two important changes to our thinking about sexual development: 1) fru also acts to control sex-specific development outside the nervous system (in the gonad) and 2) sex-specific fru expression can be regulated by Dsx, in addition to its Dsx-independent regulation, providing a new mechanism for fru regulation that may be broadly utilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhou
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Cale Whitworth
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Caitlin Pozmanter
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Megan C. Neville
- Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour, University of Oxford, Tinsley Building, Mansfield Road, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Van Doren
- Department of Biology, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Bazylev SS, Adashev VE, Shatskikh AS, Olenina LV, Kotov AA. Somatic Cyst Cells as a Microenvironment for the Maintenance and Differentiation of Germline Cells in Drosophila Spermatogenesis. Russ J Dev Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062360421010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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14
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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: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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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15
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Martinot E, Boerboom D. Slit/Robo signaling regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:8. [PMID: 33478524 PMCID: PMC7819258 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00696-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND First identified as a regulator of neuronal axon guidance, Slit/Robo signaling has since been implicated in additional physiologic and pathologic processes, such as angiogenesis, organogenesis and cancer progression. However, its roles in the regulation of testis function have been little explored. METHODS Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR analyses were performed to detect the expression of Slit/Robo signaling effectors in the adult mouse testis. To identify the roles and mechanisms of Slit/Robo signaling in the regulation of steroidogenesis, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting and hormone measurements were carried out using Leydig cells (primary cultures and the MA10 cell line) treated with exogenous SLIT ligands, and testes from Robo1-null mice. RESULTS Slit1, -2 and -3 and Robo1 and -2 expression was detected in the adult mouse testis, particularly in Leydig cells. In vitro treatment of Leydig cells with exogenous SLIT ligands led to a decrease in the expression of the steroidogenic genes Star, Cyp11a1, and Cyp17a1. SLIT2 treatment decreased the phosphorylation of the key steroidogenic gene regulator CREB, possibly in part by suppressing AKT activity. Furthermore, SLIT2 treatment reduced the responsiveness of MA10 cells to luteinizing hormone by decreasing the expression of Lhcgr. Consistent with these in vitro results, an increase in testicular Star mRNA levels and intra-testicular testosterone concentrations were found in Robo1-null mice. Finally, we showed that the expression of the Slit and Robo genes in Leydig cells is enhanced by testosterone treatment in vitro, by an AR-independent mechanism. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results suggest that Slit/Robo signaling represents a novel mechanism that regulates Leydig cell steroidogenesis. It may act in an autocrine/paracrine manner to mediate negative feedback by testosterone on its own synthesis. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Martinot
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC Canada
| | - Derek Boerboom
- Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Et Fertilité, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC Canada
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16
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Fraser L, Paukszto Ł, Mańkowska A, Brym P, Gilun P, Jastrzębski JP, Pareek CS, Kumar D, Pierzchała M. Regulatory Potential of Long Non-Coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in Boar Spermatozoa with Good and Poor Freezability. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10110300. [PMID: 33233438 PMCID: PMC7700223 DOI: 10.3390/life10110300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are suggested to play an important role in the sperm biological processes. We performed de novo transcriptome assembly to characterize lncRNAs in spermatozoa, and to investigate the role of the potential target genes of the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) in sperm freezability. We detected approximately 4007 DElncRNAs, which were differentially expressed in spermatozoa from boars classified as having good and poor semen freezability (GSF and PSF, respectively). Most of the DElncRNAs were upregulated in boars of the PSF group and appeared to significantly affect the sperm's response to the cryopreservation conditions. Furthermore, we predicted that the potential target genes were regulated by DElncRNAs in cis or trans. It was found that DElncRNAs of both freezability groups had potential cis- and trans-regulatory effects on different protein-coding genes, such as COX7A2L, TXNDC8 and SOX-7. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment revealed that the DElncRNA target genes are associated with numerous biological processes, including signal transduction, response to stress, cell death (apoptosis), motility and embryo development. Significant differences in the de novo assembled transcriptome expression profiles of the DElncRNAs between the freezability groups were confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. This study reveals the potential effects of protein-coding genes of DElncRNAs on sperm functions, which could contribute to further research on their relevance in semen freezability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyland Fraser
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Łukasz Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.P.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Anna Mańkowska
- Department of Animal Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Paweł Brym
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Przemysław Gilun
- Department of Local Physiological Regulations, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Bydgoska 7, 10-243 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Jan P. Jastrzębski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland; (Ł.P.); (J.P.J.)
| | - Chandra S. Pareek
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus, University, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Dibyendu Kumar
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA;
| | - Mariusz Pierzchała
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, 05-552 Magdalenka, Poland;
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Ayikobua ET, Kasolo J, Kasozi KI, Eze ED, Safiriyu A, Ninsiima HI, Kiyimba K, Namulema J, Jjesero E, Ssempijja F, Semuyaba I, Mwandah DC, Kimanje KR, Kalange M, Okpanachi AO, Nansunga M. Synergistic action of propolis with levodopa in the management of Parkinsonism in Drosophila melanogaster. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 17:jcim-2019-0136. [PMID: 32386191 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2019-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Background The Phosphatase and tensin-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1B9) mutant for Drosophila melanogaster is a key tool that has been used in assessing the pathology of Parkinsonism and its possible remedy. This research was targeted toward determining the effects of ethanolic extract of propolis, with levodopa therapy in the management of Parkinsonism. Method The PINK1B9 flies were divided into groups and fed with the different treatment doses of ethanoic extract of propolis. The treatment groups were subjected to 21 days of administration of propolis and the levodopa at different doses after which percentage climbing index, antioxidant activity and lifespan studies were done. Results Propolis alone improved motor activity, antioxidant and lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster than in PINK1 flies. Propolis in combination with levodopa significantly (P<0.05) improved physiological parameters at higher than lower concentrations in Parkinsonism Drosophila melanogaster demonstrating its importance in managing side effects associated with levodopa. Conclusion Propolis is a novel candidate as an alternative and integrative medicinal option to use in the management of Parkinsonism in both animals and humans at higher concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Tiyo Ayikobua
- Department of Physiology, School of Health Sciences, Soroti University, 211Soroti, Uganda
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University Mbale Campus, Box 203Mbale, Uganda
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Institute of Biomedical Research Laboratory, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Josephine Kasolo
- Department of Physiology, Makerere University College of health Science, Box 7072, KampalaUganda
| | - Keneth Iceland Kasozi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Institute of Biomedical Research Laboratory, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Department of Animal Production and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Busitema University Arapai Campus, Box 203Soroti, Uganda
| | - Ejike Daniel Eze
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Abass Safiriyu
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Institute of Biomedical Research Laboratory, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Herbert Izo Ninsiima
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Kabale University, Box 317Kabale, Uganda
| | - Kennedy Kiyimba
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Jackline Namulema
- Department of Physiology, School of Health Sciences, Uzima University College - CUEA, P.O Box 2502-40100, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Edward Jjesero
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Institute of Biomedical Research Laboratory, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Fred Ssempijja
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University estern Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Ibrahim Semuyaba
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Daniel Chans Mwandah
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Kyobe Ronald Kimanje
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Muhamudu Kalange
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Alfred Omachonu Okpanachi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Institute of Biomedical Research Laboratory, Kampala International University, Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
| | - Miriam Nansunga
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University Western Campus, Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, St. Augustine International University, P.O Box 88, Kampala, Uganda
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18
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Shi Z, Lim C, Tran V, Cui K, Zhao K, Chen X. Single-cyst transcriptome analysis of Drosophila male germline stem cell lineage. Development 2020; 147:dev.184259. [PMID: 32122991 DOI: 10.1242/dev.184259] [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: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The Drosophila male germline stem cell (GSC) lineage provides a great model to understand stem cell maintenance, proliferation, differentiation and dedifferentiation. Here, we use the Drosophila GSC lineage to systematically analyze the transcriptome of discrete but continuously differentiating germline cysts. We first isolated single cysts at each recognizable stage from wild-type testes, which were subsequently applied for RNA-seq analyses. Our data delineate a high-resolution transcriptome atlas in the entire male GSC lineage: the most dramatic switch occurs from early to late spermatocyte, followed by the change from the mitotic spermatogonia to early meiotic spermatocyte. By contrast, the transit-amplifying spermatogonia cysts display similar transcriptomes, suggesting common molecular features among these stages, which may underlie their similar behavior during both differentiation and dedifferentiation processes. Finally, distinct differentiating germ cell cyst samples do not exhibit obvious dosage compensation of X-chromosomal genes, even considering the paucity of X-chromosomal gene expression during meiosis, which is different from somatic cells. Together, our single cyst-resolution, genome-wide transcriptional profile analyses provide an unprecedented resource to understand many questions in both germ cell biology and stem cell biology fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Shi
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Cindy Lim
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Vuong Tran
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Kairong Cui
- Systems Biology Center (SBC), Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1674, Building 10, Room 7B05, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Keji Zhao
- Systems Biology Center (SBC), Division of Intramural Research (DIR), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1674, Building 10, Room 7B05, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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19
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Tong M, Jun T, Nie Y, Hao J, Fan D. The Role of the Slit/Robo Signaling Pathway. J Cancer 2019; 10:2694-2705. [PMID: 31258778 PMCID: PMC6584916 DOI: 10.7150/jca.31877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Slit family is a family of secreted proteins that play important roles in various physiologic and pathologic activities via interacting with Robo receptors. Slit/Robo signaling was first identified in the nervous system, where it functions in neuronal axon guidance; nevertheless, an increasing number of studies have shown that Slit/Robo signaling even regulates other activities, such as angiogenesis, inflammatory cell chemotaxis, tumor cell migration and metastasis. Although the precise role of the ligand-receptor in organisms has been obscure and the conclusions drawn are sometimes paradoxical, tremendous advances in understanding the Slit/Robo signaling pathway have been made. As such, our review summarizes the characteristics of the Slit/Robo signaling pathway and its role in various cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfu Tong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.,State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Tie Jun
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Yongzhan Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Jianyu Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Daiming Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
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20
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Ellis SJ, Gomez NC, Levorse J, Mertz AF, Ge Y, Fuchs E. Distinct modes of cell competition shape mammalian tissue morphogenesis. Nature 2019; 569:497-502. [PMID: 31092920 PMCID: PMC6638572 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1199-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cell competition (CC)—the sensing and elimination of less fit “loser” cells by neighbouring “winner” cells—was first described in Drosophila. Although proposed as a selection mechanism to optimize tissue and organ development, its evolutionary generality remains unclear. Here, by employing live-imaging, lineage-tracing, single cell transcriptomics and genetics, we unearth two intriguing CC mechanisms that sequentially shape and maintain stratified tissue architecture during mouse skin development. In early embryonic epidermis, winner progenitors within the single-layered epithelium kill and clear neighbouring losers by engulfment. Upon stratification and skin barrier formation, the basal layer instead expels losers through a homeostatic upward flux of differentiating progeny. This CC switch is physiologically relevant: when perturbed, so too is barrier formation. Our findings establish CC as a selective force to optimize vertebrate tissue function, and illuminate how a tissue dynamically adjusts CC strategies to preserve fitness as it encounters increased architectural complexity during morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Ellis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas C Gomez
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - John Levorse
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aaron F Mertz
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yejing Ge
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Elaine Fuchs
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Robin Neustein Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
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21
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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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22
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Herrera SC, Bach EA. JAK/STAT signaling in stem cells and regeneration: from Drosophila to vertebrates. Development 2019; 146:dev167643. [PMID: 30696713 PMCID: PMC6361132 DOI: 10.1242/dev.167643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The JAK/STAT pathway is a conserved metazoan signaling system that transduces cues from extracellular cytokines into transcriptional changes in the nucleus. JAK/STAT signaling is best known for its roles in immunity. However, recent work has demonstrated that it also regulates critical homeostatic processes in germline and somatic stem cells, as well as regenerative processes in several tissues, including the gonad, intestine and appendages. Here, we provide an overview of JAK/STAT signaling in stem cells and regeneration, focusing on Drosophila and highlighting JAK/STAT pathway functions in proliferation, survival and cell competition that are conserved between Drosophila and vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvador C Herrera
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Erika A Bach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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23
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Tamirisa S, Papagiannouli F, Rempel E, Ermakova O, Trost N, Zhou J, Mundorf J, Brunel S, Ruhland N, Boutros M, Lohmann JU, Lohmann I. Decoding the Regulatory Logic of the Drosophila Male Stem Cell System. Cell Rep 2018; 24:3072-3086. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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24
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Drosophila Glypicans Regulate Follicle Stem Cell Maintenance and Niche Competition. Genetics 2018; 209:537-549. [PMID: 29632032 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.118.300839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult stem cells reside in specialized microenvironments called niches, which provide signals for stem cells to maintain their undifferentiated and self-renewing state. To maintain stem cell quality, several types of stem cells are known to be regularly replaced by progenitor cells through niche competition. However, the cellular and molecular bases for stem cell competition for niche occupancy are largely unknown. Here, we show that two Drosophila members of the glypican family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), Dally and Dally-like (Dlp), differentially regulate follicle stem cell (FSC) maintenance and competitiveness for niche occupancy. Lineage analyses of glypican mutant FSC clones showed that dally is essential for normal FSC maintenance. In contrast, dlp is a hypercompetitive mutation: dlp mutant FSC progenitors often eventually occupy the entire epithelial sheet. RNA interference knockdown experiments showed that Dally and Dlp play both partially redundant and distinct roles in regulating Jak/Stat, Wg, and Hh signaling in FSCs. The Drosophila FSC system offers a powerful genetic model to study the mechanisms by which HSPGs exert specific functions in stem cell replacement and competition.
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Shin H, Haupt KA, Kershner AM, Kroll-Conner P, Wickens M, Kimble J. SYGL-1 and LST-1 link niche signaling to PUF RNA repression for stem cell maintenance in Caenorhabditis elegans. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1007121. [PMID: 29232700 PMCID: PMC5741267 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Central questions in regenerative biology include how stem cells are maintained and how they transition from self-renewal to differentiation. Germline stem cells (GSCs) in Caeno-rhabditis elegans provide a tractable in vivo model to address these questions. In this system, Notch signaling and PUF RNA binding proteins, FBF-1 and FBF-2 (collectively FBF), maintain a pool of GSCs in a naïve state. An open question has been how Notch signaling modulates FBF activity to promote stem cell self-renewal. Here we report that two Notch targets, SYGL-1 and LST-1, link niche signaling to FBF. We find that SYGL-1 and LST-1 proteins are cytoplasmic and normally restricted to the GSC pool region. Increasing the distribution of SYGL-1 expands the pool correspondingly, and vast overexpression of either SYGL-1 or LST-1 generates a germline tumor. Thus, SYGL-1 and LST-1 are each sufficient to drive "stemness" and their spatial restriction prevents tumor formation. Importantly, SYGL-1 and LST-1 can only drive tumor formation when FBF is present. Moreover, both proteins interact physically with FBF, and both are required to repress a signature FBF mRNA target. Together, our results support a model in which SYGL-1 and LST-1 form a repressive complex with FBF that is crucial for stem cell maintenance. We further propose that progression from a naïve stem cell state to a state primed for differentiation relies on loss of SYGL-1 and LST-1, which in turn relieves FBF target RNAs from repression. Broadly, our results provide new insights into the link between niche signaling and a downstream RNA regulatory network and how this circuitry governs the balance between self-renewal and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heaji Shin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kimberly A. Haupt
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Aaron M. Kershner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Peggy Kroll-Conner
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Marvin Wickens
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Judith Kimble
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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Kucinski I, Dinan M, Kolahgar G, Piddini E. Chronic activation of JNK JAK/STAT and oxidative stress signalling causes the loser cell status. Nat Commun 2017; 8:136. [PMID: 28743877 PMCID: PMC5526992 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00145-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell competition is a form of cell interaction that causes the elimination of less fit cells, or losers, by wild-type (WT) cells, influencing overall tissue health. Several mutations can cause cells to become losers; however, it is not known how. Here we show that Drosophila wing disc cells carrying functionally unrelated loser mutations (Minute and mahjong) display the common activation of multiple stress signalling pathways before cell competition and find that these pathways collectively account for the loser status. We find that JNK signalling inhibits the growth of losers, while JAK/STAT signalling promotes competition-induced winner cell proliferation. Furthermore, we show that losers display oxidative stress response activation and, strikingly, that activation of this pathway alone, by Nrf2 overexpression, is sufficient to prime cells for their elimination by WT neighbours. Since oxidative stress and Nrf2 are linked to several diseases, cell competition may occur in a number of pathological conditions.Cell competition causes the removal of less fit cells ('losers') but why some gene mutations turn cells into losers is unclear. Here, the authors show that Drosophila wing disc cells carrying some loser mutations activate Nrf2 and JNK signalling, which contribute to the loser status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwo Kucinski
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
- Wellcome Trust and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Department of Haematology and Cambridge Institute of Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Michael Dinan
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Golnar Kolahgar
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Eugenia Piddini
- The Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute and Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QN, UK.
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
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Vaughen J, Igaki T. Slit-Robo Repulsive Signaling Extrudes Tumorigenic Cells from Epithelia. Dev Cell 2017; 39:683-695. [PMID: 27997825 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2016.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cells dynamically interact throughout animal development to coordinate growth and deter disease. For example, cell-cell competition weeds out aberrant cells to enforce homeostasis. In Drosophila, tumorigenic cells mutant for the cell polarity gene scribble (scrib) are actively eliminated from epithelia when surrounded by wild-type cells. While scrib cell elimination depends critically on JNK signaling, JNK-dependent cell death cannot sufficiently explain scrib cell extirpation. Thus, how JNK executed cell elimination remained elusive. Here, we show that repulsive Slit-Robo2-Ena signaling exerts an extrusive force downstream of JNK to eliminate scrib cells from epithelia by disrupting E-cadherin. While loss of Slit-Robo2-Ena in scrib cells potentiates scrib tumor formation within the epithelium, Robo2-Ena hyperactivation surprisingly triggers luminal scrib tumor growth following excess extrusion. This extrusive signaling is amplified by a positive feedback loop between Slit-Robo2-Ena and JNK. Our observations provide a potential causal mechanism for Slit-Robo dysregulation in numerous human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Vaughen
- Laboratory of Genetics, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tatsushi Igaki
- Laboratory of Genetics, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
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Feng L, Shi Z, Chen X. Enhancer of polycomb coordinates multiple signaling pathways to promote both cyst and germline stem cell differentiation in the Drosophila adult testis. PLoS Genet 2017; 13:e1006571. [PMID: 28196077 PMCID: PMC5308785 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells reside in a particular microenvironment known as a niche. The interaction between extrinsic cues originating from the niche and intrinsic factors in stem cells determines their identity and activity. Maintenance of stem cell identity and stem cell self-renewal are known to be controlled by chromatin factors. Herein, we use the Drosophila adult testis which has two adult stem cell lineages, the germline stem cell (GSC) lineage and the cyst stem cell (CySC) lineage, to study how chromatin factors regulate stem cell differentiation. We find that the chromatin factor Enhancer of Polycomb [E(Pc)] acts in the CySC lineage to negatively control transcription of genes associated with multiple signaling pathways, including JAK-STAT and EGF, to promote cellular differentiation in the CySC lineage. E(Pc) also has a non-cell-autonomous role in regulating GSC lineage differentiation. When E(Pc) is specifically inactivated in the CySC lineage, defects occur in both germ cell differentiation and maintenance of germline identity. Furthermore, compromising Tip60 histone acetyltransferase activity in the CySC lineage recapitulates loss-of-function phenotypes of E(Pc), suggesting that Tip60 and E(Pc) act together, consistent with published biochemical data. In summary, our results demonstrate that E(Pc) plays a central role in coordinating differentiation between the two adult stem cell lineages in Drosophila testes. Tissue maintenance and repair rely on adult stem cells, which can divide to generate new stem cells as well as cells committed for becoming specific cell types. Stem cell activity needs to be tightly controlled because insufficient or unlimited stem cell division may lead to tissue degeneration or tumorigenesis. This control depends not only on stem cells themselves, but also on the microenvironment where stem cells reside. The chromatin structure of stem cells is crucial to determine their activities. The signaling pathways connecting stem cells with their microenvironment is also important. Here we ask how chromatin factors interact with signaling pathways in determining stem cell activity. We use Drosophila adult testis as a model system, in which two types of stem cells co-exist and interact: germline stem cells and somatic stem cells. We find that a chromatin regulator called Enhancer of Polycomb [E(Pc)] acts in somatic cells to promote germ cell differentiation and maintain germ cell fate. This regulation is mediated by several signaling pathways, such as EGF and JAK-STAT pathways. E(Pc) also works with another chromatin regulator, the histone acetyltransferase Tip60, in somatic cells. Insufficient activity of the E(Pc) homolog in human leads to cancers. Our studies of E(Pc) may help understanding its roles as a tumor suppressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Feng
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Zhen Shi
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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29
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Loveland KL, Klein B, Pueschl D, Indumathy S, Bergmann M, Loveland BE, Hedger MP, Schuppe HC. Cytokines in Male Fertility and Reproductive Pathologies: Immunoregulation and Beyond. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:307. [PMID: 29250030 PMCID: PMC5715375 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline development in vivo is dependent on the environment formed by somatic cells and the differentiation cues they provide; hence, the impact of local factors is highly relevant to the production of sperm. Knowledge of how somatic and germline cells interact is central to achieving biomedical goals relating to restoring, preserving or restricting fertility in humans. This review discusses the growing understanding of how cytokines contribute to testicular function and maintenance of male reproductive health, and to the pathologies associated with their abnormal activity in this organ. Here we consider both cytokines that signal through JAKs and are regulated by SOCS, and those utilizing other pathways, such as the MAP kinases and SMADs. The importance of cytokines in the establishment and maintenance of the testis as an immune-privilege site are described. Current research relating to the involvement of immune cells in testis development and disease is highlighted. This includes new data relating to testicular cancer which reinforce the understanding that tumorigenic cells shape their microenvironment through cytokine actions. Clinical implications in pathologies relating to local inflammation and to immunotherapies are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate L. Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Kate L. Loveland,
| | - Britta Klein
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dana Pueschl
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sivanjah Indumathy
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Bergmann
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Mark P. Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Amoyel M, Hillion KH, Margolis SR, Bach EA. Somatic stem cell differentiation is regulated by PI3K/Tor signaling in response to local cues. Development 2016; 143:3914-3925. [PMID: 27633989 DOI: 10.1242/dev.139782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells reside in niches that provide signals to maintain self-renewal, and differentiation is viewed as a passive process that depends on loss of access to these signals. Here, we demonstrate that the differentiation of somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) in the Drosophila testis is actively promoted by PI3K/Tor signaling, as CySCs lacking PI3K/Tor activity cannot differentiate properly. We find that an insulin peptide produced by somatic cells immediately outside of the stem cell niche acts locally to promote somatic differentiation through Insulin-like receptor (InR) activation. These results indicate that there is a local 'differentiation' niche that upregulates PI3K/Tor signaling in the early daughters of CySCs. Finally, we demonstrate that CySCs secrete the Dilp-binding protein ImpL2, the Drosophila homolog of IGFBP7, into the stem cell niche, which blocks InR activation in CySCs. Thus, we show that somatic cell differentiation is controlled by PI3K/Tor signaling downstream of InR and that the local production of positive and negative InR signals regulates the differentiation niche. These results support a model in which leaving the stem cell niche and initiating differentiation are actively induced by signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Amoyel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA .,Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kenzo-Hugo Hillion
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Shally R Margolis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Erika A Bach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA .,Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU School of Medicine, 550 1st Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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31
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Abstract
Slits are secreted proteins that bind to Roundabout (Robo) receptors. Slit-Robo signaling is best known for mediating axon repulsion in the developing nervous system. However, in recent years the functional repertoire of Slits and Robo has expanded tremendously and Slit-Robo signaling has been linked to roles in neurogenesis, angiogenesis and cancer progression among other processes. Likewise, our mechanistic understanding of Slit-Robo signaling has progressed enormously. Here, we summarize new insights into Slit-Robo evolutionary and system-dependent diversity, receptor-ligand interactions, signaling crosstalk and receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Blockus
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris 75012, France Ecole des Neurosciences de Paris, Paris F-75005, France
| | - Alain Chédotal
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 Rue Moreau, Paris 75012, France
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32
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Chaharbakhshi E, Jemc JC. Broad-complex, tramtrack, and bric-à-brac (BTB) proteins: Critical regulators of development. Genesis 2016; 54:505-518. [DOI: 10.1002/dvg.22964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Chaharbakhshi
- Department of Biology; Loyola University Chicago; Chicago IL
- Stritch School of Medicine; Loyola University Chicago; Maywood IL
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Liu Y, Ge Q, Chan B, Liu H, Singh SR, Manley J, Lee J, Weideman AM, Hou G, Hou SX. Whole-animal genome-wide RNAi screen identifies networks regulating male germline stem cells in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12149. [PMID: 27484291 PMCID: PMC4976209 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells are regulated both intrinsically and externally, including by signals from the local environment and distant organs. To identify genes and pathways that regulate stem-cell fates in the whole organism, we perform a genome-wide transgenic RNAi screen through ubiquitous gene knockdowns, focusing on regulators of adult Drosophila testis germline stem cells (GSCs). Here we identify 530 genes that regulate GSC maintenance and differentiation. Of these, we further knock down 113 selected genes using cell-type-specific Gal4s and find that more than half were external regulators, that is, from the local microenvironment or more distal sources. Some genes, for example, versatile (vers), encoding a heterochromatin protein, regulates GSC fates differentially in different cell types and through multiple pathways. We also find that mitosis/cytokinesis proteins are especially important for male GSC maintenance. Our findings provide valuable insights and resources for studying stem cell regulation at the organismal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Qinglan Ge
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Brian Chan
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Hanhan Liu
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Shree Ram Singh
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Jacob Manley
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Jae Lee
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Ann Marie Weideman
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Gerald Hou
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
| | - Steven X Hou
- Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 12-70, Frederick, Maryland 21702, USA
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Rogers EM, Spracklen AJ, Bilancia CG, Sumigray KD, Allred SC, Nowotarski SH, Schaefer KN, Ritchie BJ, Peifer M. Abelson kinase acts as a robust, multifunctional scaffold in regulating embryonic morphogenesis. Mol Biol Cell 2016; 27:2613-31. [PMID: 27385341 PMCID: PMC4985262 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e16-05-0292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of Abl kinase activity, the F-actin–binding site, and scaffolding ability in Abl’s many cell biological roles during Drosophila morphogenesis is examined. Abl is a robust multidomain scaffold with different protein motifs and activities contributing differentially to diverse cellular behaviors. Abelson family kinases (Abls) are key regulators of cell behavior and the cytoskeleton during development and in leukemia. Abl’s SH3, SH2, and tyrosine kinase domains are joined via a linker to an F-actin–binding domain (FABD). Research on Abl’s roles in cell culture led to several hypotheses for its mechanism of action: 1) Abl phosphorylates other proteins, modulating their activity, 2) Abl directly regulates the cytoskeleton via its cytoskeletal interaction domains, and/or 3) Abl is a scaffold for a signaling complex. The importance of these roles during normal development remains untested. We tested these mechanistic hypotheses during Drosophila morphogenesis using a series of mutants to examine Abl’s many cell biological roles. Strikingly, Abl lacking the FABD fully rescued morphogenesis, cell shape change, actin regulation, and viability, whereas kinase-dead Abl, although reduced in function, retained substantial rescuing ability in some but not all Abl functions. We also tested the function of four conserved motifs in the linker region, revealing a key role for a conserved PXXP motif known to bind Crk and Abi. We propose that Abl acts as a robust multidomain scaffold with different protein motifs and activities contributing differentially to diverse cellular behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward M Rogers
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Andrew J Spracklen
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Colleen G Bilancia
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Kaelyn D Sumigray
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - S Colby Allred
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Stephanie H Nowotarski
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Kristina N Schaefer
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Benjamin J Ritchie
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Mark Peifer
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
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35
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Li Y, Li J, Fang C, Shi L, Tan J, Xiong Y, Bin Fan, Li C. Genome-wide differential expression of genes and small RNAs in testis of two different porcine breeds and at two different ages. Sci Rep 2016; 6:26852. [PMID: 27229484 PMCID: PMC4882596 DOI: 10.1038/srep26852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Some documented evidences proved small RNAs (sRNA) and targeted genes are involved in mammalian testicular development and spermatogenesis. However, the detailed molecular regulation mechanisms of them remain largely unknown so far. In this study, we obtained a total of 10,716 mRNAs, 67 miRNAs and 16,953 piRNAs which were differentially expressed between LC and LW pig breeds or between the two sexual maturity stages. Of which, we identified 16 miRNAs and 28 targeted genes possibly related to spermatogenesis; 14 miRNA and 18 targeted genes probably associated with cell adhesion related testis development. We also annotated 579 piRNAs which could potentially regulate cell death, nucleosome organization and other basic biology process, which implied that those piRNAs might be involved in sexual maturation difference. The integrated network analysis results suggested that some differentially expressed genes were involved in spermatogenesis through the ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, Wnt and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, some particular miRNAs have the negative regulation roles and some special piRNAs have the positive and negative regulation roles in testicular development. Our data provide novel insights into the molecular expression and regulation similarities and diversities of spermatogenesis and testicular development in different pig breeds at different stages of sexual maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Li
- Key Lab of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Jialian Li
- Key Lab of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Guangxi Yangxiang Pig Gene Technology limited Company, Guigang, 537120, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengchi Fang
- Key Lab of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Shi
- Guangxi Yangxiang Incorporated Company, Guigang, 537100, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajian Tan
- Guangxi Yangxiang Incorporated Company, Guigang, 537100, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanzhu Xiong
- Key Lab of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Fan
- Key Lab of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China.,Guangxi Yangxiang Pig Gene Technology limited Company, Guigang, 537120, People's Republic of China
| | - Changchun Li
- Key Lab of Agriculture Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, People's Republic of China
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Amoyel M, Anderson J, Suisse A, Glasner J, Bach EA. Socs36E Controls Niche Competition by Repressing MAPK Signaling in the Drosophila Testis. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005815. [PMID: 26807580 PMCID: PMC4726490 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila testis is a well-established system for studying stem cell self-renewal and competition. In this tissue, the niche supports two stem cell populations, germ line stem cells (GSCs), which give rise to sperm, and somatic stem cells called cyst stem cells (CySCs), which support GSCs and their descendants. It has been established that CySCs compete with each other and with GSCs for niche access, and mutations have been identified that confer increased competitiveness to CySCs, resulting in the mutant stem cell and its descendants outcompeting wild type resident stem cells. Socs36E, which encodes a negative feedback inhibitor of the JAK/STAT pathway, was the first identified regulator of niche competition. The competitive behavior of Socs36E mutant CySCs was attributed to increased JAK/STAT signaling. Here we show that competitive behavior of Socs36E mutant CySCs is due in large part to unbridled Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling. In Socs36E mutant clones, MAPK activity is elevated. Furthermore, we find that clonal upregulation of MAPK in CySCs leads to their outcompetition of wild type CySCs and of GSCs, recapitulating the Socs36E mutant phenotype. Indeed, when MAPK activity is removed from Socs36E mutant clones, they lose their competitiveness but maintain self-renewal, presumably due to increased JAK/STAT signaling in these cells. Consistently, loss of JAK/STAT activity in Socs36E mutant clones severely impairs their self-renewal. Thus, our results enable the genetic separation of two essential processes that occur in stem cells. While some niche signals specify the intrinsic property of self-renewal, which is absolutely required in all stem cells for niche residence, additional signals control the ability of stem cells to compete with their neighbors. Socs36E is node through which these processes are linked, demonstrating that negative feedback inhibition integrates multiple aspects of stem cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Amoyel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Jason Anderson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Annabelle Suisse
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Johanna Glasner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Erika A Bach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America.,The Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America
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Abstract
Stem cells are necessary for the maintenance of many adult tissues. Signals within the stem cell microenvironment, or niche, regulate the self-renewal and differentiation capability of these cells. Misregulation of these signals through mutation or damage can lead to overgrowth or depletion of different stem cell pools. In this review, we focus on the Drosophila testis and ovary, both of which contain well-defined niches, as well as the mouse testis, which has become a more approachable stem cell system with recent technical advances. We discuss the signals that regulate gonadal stem cells in their niches, how these signals mediate self-renewal and differentiation under homeostatic conditions, and how stress, whether from mutations or damage, can cause changes in cell fate and drive stem cell competition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Joy Greenspan
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205; , ,
| | - Margaret de Cuevas
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205; , ,
| | - Erika Matunis
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205; , ,
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Deng W, Chen QW, Li XS, Yuan ZM, Li GQ, Ke DZ, Wang L, Wu ZQ, Luo SL. Bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells with CD47 high expression via the signal transducer and activators of transcription signaling pathway preventing myocardial fibrosis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2015; 8:10555-10564. [PMID: 26617765 PMCID: PMC4637580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED This study was initiated to investigate the efficacy of myocardial fibrosis intervention via signal transducer and activators of transcription (STAT) signaling using bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in which being over-expressed with the aid of bispecific antibody (BiAb) and ultrasound-mediated microbubbles (MB). BiAb was prepared and combined with isolated MSC with CD47 overexpression from male mice and trans-fused into female mice with isoproterenol-induced myocardial fibrosis via the tail vein, followed by MB. This study included five groups. Five weeks after treatment, expression levels of the sex-determining region of Y-chromosome (SRY), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in myocardium were detected by fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of signal transducer and activators of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT 3 was detected by Western blot. RESULTS The highest homing number of MSC was in the CD47 + MSC + BiAb + MB group, second highest in the CD47 + MSC + BiAb group, and lowest in MSC alone. Compared with the Control group, CD47 + MSC + BiAb + MB, CD47 + MSC + BiAb, CD47 + MSC and MSC groups had decreased levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, STAT 1 and collagen deposition, and increased levels of STAT 3. Up regulated STAT 3 and down regulated TIMP-1 were significantly different in CD47 + MSC + BiAb + MB compared with CD47 + MSC or CD47 + MSC + BiAb. CONCLUSION CD47 can enhance the homing rate and repairing efficacy of MSC. MSC can improve MMP-TIMP expression in injured myocardium and interfere with myocardial fibrosis after homing, a mechanism that may be related to the STAT-mediated signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Deng
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Qing-Wei Chen
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Li
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Zhong-Ming Yuan
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Gui-Qiong Li
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Da-Zhi Ke
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Zhi-Qing Wu
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
| | - Shi-Lan Luo
- Department of Gerontology, The No. 2 Hospital Affiliated to Chongqing Medical University Chongqing 400010, China
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Feng L, Chen X. Epigenetic regulation of germ cells-remember or forget? Curr Opin Genet Dev 2015; 31:20-7. [PMID: 25930104 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Unlike somatic cells, germ cells retain the potential to reproduce an entire new organism upon fertilization. In order to accomplish the process of fertilization, germ cells undergo an extreme cellular differentiation process known as gametogenesis in order to produce morphologically and functionally distinct oocyte and sperm. In addition to changes in genetic content changes from diploid to haploid, epigenetic mechanisms that modify chromatin state without altering primary DNA sequences have profound influence on germ cell differentiation and moreover, the transgenerational effect. In this review, we will go over the most recent discoveries on epigenetic regulations in germline differentiation and transgenerational inheritance across different metazoan species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Feng
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States.
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Niche signaling promotes stem cell survival in the Drosophila testis via the JAK-STAT target DIAP1. Dev Biol 2015; 404:27-39. [PMID: 25941003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2015.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Tissue-specific stem cells are thought to resist environmental insults better than their differentiating progeny, but this resistance varies from one tissue to another, and the underlying mechanisms are not well-understood. Here, we use the Drosophila testis as a model system to study the regulation of cell death within an intact niche. This niche contains sperm-producing germline stem cells (GSCs) and accompanying somatic cyst stem cells (or CySCs). Although many signals are known to promote stem cell self-renewal in this tissue, including the highly conserved JAK-STAT pathway, the response of these stem cells to potential death-inducing signals, and factors promoting stem cell survival, have not been characterized. Here we find that both GSCs and CySCs resist cell death better than their differentiating progeny, under normal laboratory conditions and in response to potential death-inducing stimuli such as irradiation or starvation. To ask what might be promoting stem cell survival, we characterized the role of the anti-apoptotic gene Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (diap1) in testis stem cells. DIAP1 protein is enriched in the GSCs and CySCs and is a JAK-STAT target. diap1 is necessary for survival of both GSCs and CySCs, and ectopic up-regulation of DIAP1 in somatic cyst cells is sufficient to non-autonomously rescue stress-induced cell death in adjacent differentiating germ cells (spermatogonia). Altogether, our results show that niche signals can promote stem cell survival by up-regulation of highly conserved anti-apoptotic proteins, and suggest that this strategy may underlie the ability of stem cells to resist death more generally.
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