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Denner A, Steger J, Ries A, Morozova-Link E, Ritter J, Haas F, Cole AG, Technau U. Nanos2 marks precursors of somatic lineages and is required for germline formation in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado0424. [PMID: 39151009 PMCID: PMC11328910 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado0424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024]
Abstract
In animals, stem cell populations of varying potency facilitate regeneration and tissue homeostasis. Notably, germline stem cells in both vertebrates and invertebrates express highly conserved RNA binding proteins, such as nanos, vasa, and piwi. In highly regenerative animals, these genes are also expressed in somatic stem cells, which led to the proposal that they had an ancestral role in all stem cells. In cnidarians, multi- and pluripotent interstitial stem cells have only been identified in hydrozoans. Therefore, it is currently unclear if cnidarian stem cell systems share a common evolutionary origin. We, therefore, aimed to characterize conserved stem cell marker genes in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis. Through transgenic reporter genes and single-cell transcriptomics, we identify cell populations expressing the germline-associated markers piwi1 and nanos2 in the soma and germline, and gene knockout shows that Nanos2 is indispensable for germline formation. This suggests that nanos and piwi genes have a conserved role in somatic and germline stem cells in cnidarians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Denner
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Steger
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander Ries
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elizaveta Morozova-Link
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Josefine Ritter
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Franziska Haas
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alison G Cole
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrich Technau
- Department of Neurosciences and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Research platform SINCEREST, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Max Perutz labs, University of Vienna, Dr. Bohrgasse 7, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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2
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Akiyama T, Raftery LA, Wharton KA. Bone morphogenetic protein signaling: the pathway and its regulation. Genetics 2024; 226:iyad200. [PMID: 38124338 PMCID: PMC10847725 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyad200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In the mid-1960s, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were first identified in the extracts of bone to have the remarkable ability to induce heterotopic bone. When the Drosophila gene decapentaplegic (dpp) was first identified to share sequence similarity with mammalian BMP2/BMP4 in the late-1980s, it became clear that secreted BMP ligands can mediate processes other than bone formation. Following this discovery, collaborative efforts between Drosophila geneticists and mammalian biochemists made use of the strengths of their respective model systems to identify BMP signaling components and delineate the pathway. The ability to conduct genetic modifier screens in Drosophila with relative ease was critical in identifying the intracellular signal transducers for BMP signaling and the related transforming growth factor-beta/activin signaling pathway. Such screens also revealed a host of genes that encode other core signaling components and regulators of the pathway. In this review, we provide a historical account of this exciting time of gene discovery and discuss how the field has advanced over the past 30 years. We have learned that while the core BMP pathway is quite simple, composed of 3 components (ligand, receptor, and signal transducer), behind the versatility of this pathway lies multiple layers of regulation that ensures precise tissue-specific signaling output. We provide a sampling of these discoveries and highlight many questions that remain to be answered to fully understand the complexity of BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Akiyama
- Department of Biology, Rich and Robin Porter Cancer Research Center, The Center for Genomic Advocacy, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN 47809, USA
| | - Laurel A Raftery
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - Kristi A Wharton
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry, Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
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3
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Tu R, Tang XA, Xu R, Ping Z, Yu Z, Xie T. Gap junction-transported cAMP from the niche controls stem cell progeny differentiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2304168120. [PMID: 37603749 PMCID: PMC10468610 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304168120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The niche has been shown to control stem cell self-renewal in different tissue types and organisms. Recently, a separate niche has been proposed to control stem cell progeny differentiation, called the differentiation niche. However, it remains poorly understood whether and how the differentiation niche directly signals to stem cell progeny to control their differentiation. In the Drosophila ovary, inner germarial sheath (IGS) cells contribute to two separate niche compartments for controlling both germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and progeny differentiation. In this study, we show that IGS cells express Inx2 protein, which forms gap junctions (GJs) with germline-specific Zpg protein to control stepwise GSC lineage development, including GSC self-renewal, germline cyst formation, meiotic double-strand DNA break formation, and oocyte specification. Germline-specific Zpg and IGS-specific Inx2 knockdowns cause similar defects in stepwise GSC development. Additionally, secondary messenger cAMP is transported from IGS cells to GSCs and their progeny via GJs to activate PKA signaling for controlling stepwise GSC development. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the niche directly controls GSC progeny differentiation via the GJ-cAMP-PKA signaling axis, which provides important insights into niche control of stem cell differentiation and highlights the importance of GJ-transported cAMP in tissue regeneration. This may represent a general strategy for the niche to control adult stem cell development in various tissue types and organisms since GJs and cAMP are widely distributed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjun Tu
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Xiaohan Alex Tang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Rui Xu
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
| | - Zhaohua Ping
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO64110
| | - Zulin Yu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO64110
| | - Ting Xie
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO64110
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4
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Sadaf H, Ambroziak M, Binkowski R, Kluebsoongnoen J, Paszkiewicz-Kozik E, Steciuk J, Markowicz S, Walewski J, Sarnowska E, Sarnowski TJ, Konopinski R. New molecular targets in Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1155468. [PMID: 37266436 PMCID: PMC10230546 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1155468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent discoveries shed light on molecular mechanisms responsible for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) development and progression, along with features of Hodgkin - Reed and Sternberg cells (HRS). Here, we summarize current knowledge on characteristic molecular alterations in HL, as well as existing targeted therapies and potential novel treatments for this disease. We discuss the importance of cluster of differentiation molecule 30 (CD30) and the programmed cell death-1 protein (PD-1) and ligands (PD-L1/2), and other molecules involved in immune modulation in HL. We highlight emerging evidence indicating that the altered function of SWI/SNF-type chromatin remodeling complexes, PRC2, and other epigenetic modifiers, contribute to variations in chromatin status, which are typical for HL. We postulate that despite of the existence of plentiful molecular data, the understanding of HL development remains incomplete. We therefore propose research directions involving analysis of reverse signaling in the PD-1/PD-L1 mechanism, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetics-related alterations, in order to identify HL features at the molecular level. Such attempts may lead to the identification of new molecular targets, and thus will likely substantially contribute to the future development of more effective targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hummaira Sadaf
- Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Biotechnology, Sardar Bahadur Khan Womens’ University, Balochistan, Pakistan
| | - Maciej Ambroziak
- Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Binkowski
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Ewa Paszkiewicz-Kozik
- Department of Lymphoid Malignancies, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jaroslaw Steciuk
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Markowicz
- Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Walewski
- Department of Lymphoid Malignancies, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Elzbieta Sarnowska
- Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Ryszard Konopinski
- Department of Experimental Immunotherapy, Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Santos D, Feng M, Kolliopoulou A, Taning CNT, Sun J, Swevers L. What Are the Functional Roles of Piwi Proteins and piRNAs in Insects? INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14020187. [PMID: 36835756 PMCID: PMC9962485 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Research on Piwi proteins and piRNAs in insects has focused on three experimental models: oogenesis and spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster, the antiviral response in Aedes mosquitoes and the molecular analysis of primary and secondary piRNA biogenesis in Bombyx mori-derived BmN4 cells. Significant unique and complementary information has been acquired and has led to a greater appreciation of the complexity of piRNA biogenesis and Piwi protein function. Studies performed in other insect species are emerging and promise to add to the current state of the art on the roles of piRNAs and Piwi proteins. Although the primary role of the piRNA pathway is genome defense against transposons, particularly in the germline, recent findings also indicate an expansion of its functions. In this review, an extensive overview is presented of the knowledge of the piRNA pathway that so far has accumulated in insects. Following a presentation of the three major models, data from other insects were also discussed. Finally, the mechanisms for the expansion of the function of the piRNA pathway from transposon control to gene regulation were considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulce Santos
- Research Group of Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Min Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Anna Kolliopoulou
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
| | - Clauvis N. T. Taning
- Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jingchen Sun
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Luc Swevers
- Insect Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biosciences & Applications, National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos”, Aghia Paraskevi, 15341 Athens, Greece
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6
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Post F, Bornberg-Bauer E, Vasseur-Cognet M, Harrison MC. More effective transposon regulation in fertile, long-lived termite queens than in sterile workers. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:369-380. [PMID: 36320186 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are mobile genetic sequences, which can cause the accumulation of genomic damage in the lifetime of an organism. The regulation of TEs, for instance via the piRNA-pathway, is an important mechanism to protect the integrity of genomes, especially in the germ-line where mutations can be transmitted to offspring. In eusocial insects, soma and germ-line are divided among worker and reproductive castes, so one may expect caste-specific differences in TE regulation to exist. To test this, we compared whole-genome levels of repeat element transcription in the fat body of female workers, kings and five different queen stages of the higher termite, Macrotermes natalensis. In this species, queens can live over 20 years, maintaining near maximum reproductive output, while sterile workers only live weeks. We found a strong, positive correlation between TE expression and the expression of neighbouring genes in all castes. However, we found substantially higher TE activity in workers than in reproductives. Furthermore, TE expression did not increase with age in queens, despite a sevenfold increase in overall gene expression, due to a significant upregulation of the piRNA-pathway in 20-year-old queens. Our results suggest a caste- and age-specific regulation of the piRNA-pathway has evolved in higher termites that is analogous to germ-line-specific activity in solitary organisms. In the fat body of these termite queens, an important metabolic tissue for maintaining their extreme longevity and reproductive output, an efficient regulation of TEs likely protects genome integrity, thus further promoting reproductive fitness even at high age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederik Post
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Erich Bornberg-Bauer
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Mireille Vasseur-Cognet
- UMR IRD 242, UPEC, CNRS 7618, UPMC 113, INRAE 1392, Paris 7 113, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences of Paris, Bondy, France.,University of Paris-Est, Créteil, France.,INSERM, Paris, France
| | - Mark C Harrison
- Institute for Evolution and Biodiversity, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
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7
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Phipps DN, Powell AM, Ables ET. Utilizing the FLP-Out System for Clonal RNAi Analysis in the Adult Drosophila Ovary. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2626:69-87. [PMID: 36715900 PMCID: PMC10044525 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2970-3_4] [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] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The ability to conduct spatially controlled RNA interference (RNAi) for gene knockdown using the UAS/Gal4 system is among the most appealing techniques available for analysis of gene function in the Drosophila ovary. While gene knockdown experiments in somatic cells in the developing organism (i.e., embryos and larvae) are effectively and commonly performed, the use of RNAi in adult ovarian cells can be hampered by the unintended deleterious effects of Gal4 expression in "off-target" developing tissues. Mosaic analysis overcomes these problems by imparting temporal and spatial control over gene manipulation, providing a useful tool to compare manipulated cells with wild-type cells in the same tissue. Here, we provide a method to utilize the UAS/Gal4 system in combination with the Flippase (FLP)-Flippase Recognition Target (FRT) system to generate positively labeled "FLP-Out" clones expressing a chosen RNAi in both the germline and the soma in the Drosophila ovary. This protocol outlines each step of the generation of clones and the selection of appropriate fly stocks and reagents, providing a guide to this powerful tool in the Drosophila genetic toolbox. These techniques allow for RNAi analysis within a specific cell type, providing an opportunity to study a variety of unique aspects of cell function that would not be possible in more traditional RNAi-based experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel N Phipps
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Amanda M Powell
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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8
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Zhao H, Li Z, Kong R, Shi L, Ma R, Ren X, Li Z. Novel intrinsic factor Yun maintains female germline stem cell fate through Thickveins. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1914-1923. [PMID: 35985332 PMCID: PMC9481913 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cells (GSCs) are critical for the reproduction of an organism. The self-renewal and differentiation of GSCs must be tightly controlled to avoid uncontrolled stem cell proliferation or premature stem cell differentiation. However, how the self-renewal and differentiation of GSCs are properly controlled is not fully understood. Here, we find that the novel intrinsic factor Yun is required for female GSC maintenance in Drosophila. GSCs undergo precocious differentiation due to de-repression of differentiation factor Bam by defective BMP/Dpp signaling in the absence of yun. Mechanistically, Yun associates with and stabilizes Thickveins (Tkv), the type I receptor of Dpp/BMP signaling. Finally, ectopic expression of a constitutively active Tkv (TkvQD) completely suppresses GSC loss caused by yun depletion. Collectively, these data demonstrate that Yun functions through Tkv to maintain GSC fate. Our results provide new insight into the regulatory mechanisms of how stem cell maintenance is properly controlled. Novel intrinsic factor Yun is required for female GSC maintenance Yun-defective GSCs undergo differentiation due to Bam upregulation Yun associates with and stabilizes Tkv to regulate GSC maintenance GSC loss in the absence of yun could be rescued by constitutively active Tkv
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhengran Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Ruiyan Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Lin Shi
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Rui Ma
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xuejing Ren
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Zhouhua Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China.
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9
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Razmi K, Patil JG. Primordial Germ Cell Development in the Poeciliid, Gambusia holbrooki, Reveals Shared Features Between Lecithotrophs and Matrotrophs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:793498. [PMID: 35300414 PMCID: PMC8920993 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.793498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Metazoans exhibit two modes of primordial germ cell (PGC) specification that are interspersed across taxa. However, the evolutionary link between the two modes and the reproductive strategies of lecithotrophy and matrotrophy is poorly understood. As a first step to understand this, the spatio-temporal expression of teleostean germ plasm markers was investigated in Gambusia holbrooki, a poecilid with shared lecitho- and matrotrophy. A group of germ plasm components was detected in the ovum suggesting maternal inheritance mode of PGC specification. However, the strictly zygotic activation of dnd-β and nanos1 occurred relatively early, reminiscent of models with induction mode (e.g., mice). The PGC clustering, migration and colonisation patterns of G. holbrooki resembled those of zebrafish, medaka and mice at blastula, gastrula and somitogenesis, respectively—recapitulating features of advancing evolutionary nodes with progressive developmental stages. Moreover, the expression domains of PGC markers in G. holbrooki were either specific to teleost (vasa expression in developing PGCs), murine models (dnd spliced variants) or shared between the two taxa (germline and somatic expression of piwi and nanos1). Collectively, the results suggest that the reproductive developmental adaptations may reflect a transition from lecithotrophy to matrotrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komeil Razmi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, Australia
| | - Jawahar G Patil
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Fisheries and Aquaculture Centre, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, TAS, Australia
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10
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Hu X, Li M, Hao X, Lu Y, Zhang L, Wu G. The Osa-Containing SWI/SNF Chromatin-Remodeling Complex Is Required in the Germline Differentiation Niche for Germline Stem Cell Progeny Differentiation. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12030363. [PMID: 33806269 PMCID: PMC7998989 DOI: 10.3390/genes12030363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The Drosophila ovary is recognized as a powerful model to study stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is secreted from the germline stem cell (GSC) niche to activate Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) signaling in GSCs for their self-renewal and is restricted in the differentiation niche for daughter cell differentiation. Here, we report that Switch/sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) component Osa depletion in escort cells (ECs) results in a blockage of GSC progeny differentiation. Further molecular and genetic analyses suggest that the defective germline differentiation is partially attributed to the elevated dpp transcription in ECs. Moreover, ectopic Engrailed (En) expression in osa-depleted ECs partially contributes to upregulated dpp transcription. Furthermore, we show that Osa regulates germline differentiation in a Brahma (Brm)-associated protein (BAP)-complex-dependent manner. Additionally, the loss of EC long cellular processes upon osa depletion may also partly contribute to the germline differentiation defect. Taken together, these data suggest that the epigenetic factor Osa plays an important role in controlling EC characteristics and germline lineage differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences &Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.H.); (M.L.)
| | - Mengjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences &Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.H.); (M.L.)
| | - Xue Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; (X.H.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.)
| | - Yi Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; (X.H.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; (X.H.); (Y.L.); (L.Z.)
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Bio-Research Innovation Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215121, China
| | - Geng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, School of Life Sciences &Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; (X.H.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence:
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11
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Tu R, Duan B, Song X, Chen S, Scott A, Hall K, Blanck J, DeGraffenreid D, Li H, Perera A, Haug J, Xie T. Multiple Niche Compartments Orchestrate Stepwise Germline Stem Cell Progeny Differentiation. Curr Biol 2020; 31:827-839.e3. [PMID: 33357404 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The niche controls stem cell self-renewal and progenitor differentiation for maintaining adult tissue homeostasis in various organisms. However, it remains unclear whether the niche is compartmentalized to control stem cell self-renewal and stepwise progeny differentiation. In the Drosophila ovary, inner germarial sheath (IGS) cells form a niche for controlling germline stem cell (GSC) progeny differentiation. In this study, we have identified four IGS subpopulations, which form linearly arranged niche compartments for controlling GSC maintenance and multi-step progeny differentiation. Single-cell analysis of the adult ovary has identified four IGS subpopulations (IGS1-IGS4), the identities and cellular locations of which have been further confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization. IGS1 and IGS2 physically interact with GSCs and mitotic cysts to control GSC maintenance and cyst formation, respectively, whereas IGS3 and IGS4 physically interact with 16-cell cysts to regulate meiosis, oocyte development, and cyst morphological change. Finally, one follicle cell progenitor population has also been transcriptionally defined for facilitating future studies on follicle stem cell regulation. Therefore, this study has structurally revealed that the niche is organized into multiple compartments for orchestrating stepwise adult stem cell development and has also provided useful resources and tools for further functional characterization of the niche in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renjun Tu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Bo Duan
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Xiaoqing Song
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Shiyuan Chen
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Allison Scott
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Kate Hall
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jillian Blanck
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Dustin DeGraffenreid
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Hua Li
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Anoja Perera
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jeff Haug
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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12
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Zhu G, Gonzalez LE, Lin H. Piwi in the stem cell niche regulates nurse cell number and oocyte specification. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2020; 2020:10.17912/micropub.biology.000327. [PMID: 33274324 PMCID: PMC7704254 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gina Zhu
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Lauren E Gonzalez
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Haifan Lin
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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13
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Gonzalez LE, Zhu G, Lin H. Ovarian somatic Piwi regulates nurse cell proliferation and oocyte specification in Drosophila. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2020; 2020:10.17912/micropub.biology.000324. [PMID: 33274329 PMCID: PMC7704259 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Gonzalez
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Gina Zhu
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Yale College, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Haifan Lin
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
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14
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Amartuvshin O, Lin C, Hsu S, Kao S, Chen A, Tang W, Chou H, Chang D, Hsu Y, Hsiao B, Rastegari E, Lin K, Wang Y, Yao C, Chen G, Chen B, Hsu H. Aging shifts mitochondrial dynamics toward fission to promote germline stem cell loss. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13191. [PMID: 32666649 PMCID: PMC7431834 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in mitochondrial dynamics (fusion and fission) are known to occur during stem cell differentiation; however, the role of this phenomenon in tissue aging remains unclear. Here, we report that mitochondrial dynamics are shifted toward fission during aging of Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs), and this shift contributes to aging-related GSC loss. We found that as GSCs age, mitochondrial fragmentation and expression of the mitochondrial fission regulator, Dynamin-related protein (Drp1), are both increased, while mitochondrial membrane potential is reduced. Moreover, preventing mitochondrial fusion in GSCs results in highly fragmented depolarized mitochondria, decreased BMP stemness signaling, impaired fatty acid metabolism, and GSC loss. Conversely, forcing mitochondrial elongation promotes GSC attachment to the niche. Importantly, maintenance of aging GSCs can be enhanced by suppressing Drp1 expression to prevent mitochondrial fission or treating with rapamycin, which is known to promote autophagy via TOR inhibition. Overall, our results show that mitochondrial dynamics are altered during physiological aging, affecting stem cell homeostasis via coordinated changes in stemness signaling, niche contact, and cellular metabolism. Such effects may also be highly relevant to other stem cell types and aging-induced tissue degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oyundari Amartuvshin
- Molecular and Cell BiologyTaiwan International Graduate ProgramAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Life ScienceNational Defense Medical CenterTaipeiTaiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Hung Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shao‐Chun Hsu
- Imaging Core Facility at the Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Shih‐Han Kao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
- Present address:
Institute of ChemistryAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Alvin Chen
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Wei‐Chun Tang
- Research Center for Applied ScienceAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Han‐Lin Chou
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Dong‐Lin Chang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
- The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yen‐Yang Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
- The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Bai‐Shiou Hsiao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
- The Affiliated Senior High School of National Taiwan Normal UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | | | - Kun‐Yang Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Ting Wang
- Molecular and Cell BiologyTaiwan International Graduate ProgramAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Life ScienceNational Defense Medical CenterTaipeiTaiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Kuang Yao
- Institute of Biological ChemistryAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Guang‐Chao Chen
- Institute of Biological ChemistryAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Bi‐Chang Chen
- Research Center for Applied ScienceAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Hwei‐Jan Hsu
- Molecular and Cell BiologyTaiwan International Graduate ProgramAcademia SinicaTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Life ScienceNational Defense Medical CenterTaipeiTaiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic BiologyTaipeiTaiwan
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15
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Lin KY, Wang WD, Lin CH, Rastegari E, Su YH, Chang YT, Liao YF, Chang YC, Pi H, Yu BY, Chen SH, Lin CY, Lu MY, Su TY, Tzou FY, Chan CC, Hsu HJ. Piwi reduction in the aged niche eliminates germline stem cells via Toll-GSK3 signaling. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3147. [PMID: 32561720 PMCID: PMC7305233 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16858-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transposons are known to participate in tissue aging, but their effects on aged stem cells remain unclear. Here, we report that in the Drosophila ovarian germline stem cell (GSC) niche, aging-related reductions in expression of Piwi (a transposon silencer) derepress retrotransposons and cause GSC loss. Suppression of Piwi expression in the young niche mimics the aged niche, causing retrotransposon depression and coincident activation of Toll-mediated signaling, which promotes Glycogen synthase kinase 3 activity to degrade β-catenin. Disruption of β-catenin-E-cadherin-mediated GSC anchorage then results in GSC loss. Knocking down gypsy (a highly active retrotransposon) or toll, or inhibiting reverse transcription in the piwi-deficient niche, suppresses GSK3 activity and β-catenin degradation, restoring GSC-niche attachment. This retrotransposon-mediated impairment of aged stem cell maintenance may have relevance in many tissues, and could represent a viable therapeutic target for aging-related tissue degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun-Yang Lin
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Der Wang
- Department of BioAgricultural Sciences, National Chiayi University, Chiayi City, 60004, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hung Lin
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Elham Rastegari
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Han Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tzu Chang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Feng Liao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Chieh Chang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Haiwei Pi
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kweishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Yi Yu
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Hwa Chen
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yen Lin
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yeh Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Tsu-Yi Su
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yang Tzou
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Chiang Chan
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, National Chung Hsing University and Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, 40227, Taiwan.
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16
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Chen Z, Yang HJ, Lin Q, Zhu MJ, Yu YY, He XY, Wan XP. Estrogen-ERα signaling and DNA hypomethylation co-regulate expression of stem cell protein PIWIL1 in ERα-positive endometrial cancer cells. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:84. [PMID: 32503542 PMCID: PMC7275358 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00563-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We previously identified PIWIL1 as an oncogene involved in endometrial carcinogenesis. However, the mechanism of Piwil1 mediated regulation of tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. Methods The expression levels of target genes in endometrial cancer cells were detected by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Up- or down-regulation of ERα or PIWIL1 was achieved by transient transfection with expressing plasmids or short hairpin RNA (shRNA). Dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) were used to demonstrate the ERα bound to the half estrogen response element (half-ERE) located in PIWIL1 promoter. The expression of PIWIL1 and ERα in endometrial carcinoma tissues were investigated using immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. The proliferation ability of cancer cells were evaluated by MTT. Methylation status of the PIWIL1 promoter was detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). Results In the present study, we found that PIWIL1 mediated E2-stimulated cancer cell proliferation. In ERα-positive endometrial cancer cells, we demonstrated that estrogen-ERα signaling significantly up-regulated the expression of PIWIL1, which was mediated by binding of the ERα onto the PIWIL1 promoter. Furthermore, we found that a half-ERE in the PIWIL1 promoter was essential for ERα binding. The PIWIL1 promoter was hypomethylated in ERα-positive endometrial cancer cells. Treatment with 5-aza-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) could up-regulate PIWIL1 expression. Conclusions These findings uncover a novel molecular mechanism by which estrogen-ERα signaling and DNA hypomethylation co-regulate PIWIL1 expression. These findings provide novel insights into the hormonal regulation of PIWIL1 in endometrial cancer and the PIWIL1’s role in estrogen-stimulated endometrial carcinogenesis. Video Abstract. (MP4 41319 kb)
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua-Jing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Min-Jiao Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying-Ying Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China.,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ying He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.910, Hengshan Road, Shanghai, 200030, China. .,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiao-Ping Wan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tong Ji University School of Medicine, No. 536, Changle Road, Shanghai, 200080, China.
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17
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Waghmare I, Wang X, Page-McCaw A. Dally-like protein sequesters multiple Wnt ligands in the Drosophila germarium. Dev Biol 2020; 464:88-102. [PMID: 32473955 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2020.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cells in multicellular organisms rely on secreted ligands for development and morphogenesis. Several mechanisms modulate the availability and distribution of secreted ligands, determining their ability to signal locally and at long range from their source. One of these mechanisms is Dally-like protein (Dlp), a cell-surface glypican that exhibits biphasic functions in Drosophila wing discs, promoting Wg signaling at long-range from Wg source cells and inhibiting Wg signaling near source cells. In the germarium at the tip of the ovary, Dlp promotes long-range distribution of Wg from cap cells to follicle stem cells. However, the germarium also expresses other Wnts - Wnt2, Wnt4, and Wnt6 - that function locally in escort cells to promote oogenesis. Whether and how local functions of these Wnts are regulated remains unknown. Here we show that the dlp overexpression phenotype is multifaceted and phenocopies multiple Wnt loss-of-function phenotypes. Each aspect of dlp overexpression phenotype is suppressed by co-expression of individual Wnts, and the suppression pattern exhibited by each Wnt suggests that Wnts have functional specificity in the germarium. Further, dlp knockdown phenocopies Wnt gain-of-function phenotypes. Together these data show that Dlp inhibits the functions of each Wnt. All four Wnts co-immunoprecipitate with Dlp in S2R+ cells, suggesting that in the germarium, Dlp sequesters Wnts to inhibit local paracrine Wnt signaling. Our results indicate that Dlp modulates the availability of multiple extracellular Wnts for local paracrine Wnt signaling in the germarium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
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18
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Barreñada O, Fernández-Pérez D, Larriba E, Brieño-Enriquez M, Del Mazo J. Diversification of piRNAs expressed in PGCs and somatic cells during embryonic gonadal development. RNA Biol 2020; 17:1309-1323. [PMID: 32375541 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1757908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
piRNAs are small non-coding RNAs known to play a main role in defence against transposable elements in germ cells. However, other potential functions, such as biogenesis and differences in somatic and germline expression of these regulatory elements, are not yet fully unravelled. Here, we analysed a variety of piRNA sequences detected in mouse male and female primordial germ cells (PGCs) and gonadal somatic cells at crucial stages during embryonic differentiation of germ cells (11.5-13.5 days post-coitum). NGS of sncRNA and bioinformatic characterization of piRNAs from PGCs and somatic cells, in addition to piRNAs associated with TEs, indicated functional diversification in both cell types. Differences in the proportion of the diverse types of piRNAs are detected between somatic and germline during development. However, the global diversified patterns of piRNA expression are mainly shared between germ and somatic cells, we identified piRNAs related with molecules involved in ribosome components and translation pathway, including piRNAs derived from rRNA (34%), tRNA (10%) and snoRNA (8%). piRNAs from both tRNA and snoRNA are mainly derived from 3' and 5' end regions. These connections between piRNAs and rRNAs, tRNAs or snoRNAs suggest important functions of specialized piRNAs in translation regulation during this window of gonadal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odei Barreñada
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Centro De Investigaciones Biológicas C.I.B. (CSIC) , Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Fernández-Pérez
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Centro De Investigaciones Biológicas C.I.B. (CSIC) , Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Larriba
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Centro De Investigaciones Biológicas C.I.B. (CSIC) , Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Brieño-Enriquez
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Centro De Investigaciones Biológicas C.I.B. (CSIC) , Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Del Mazo
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology, Centro De Investigaciones Biológicas C.I.B. (CSIC) , Madrid, Spain
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19
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Kukushkina IV, Makhnovskii PA, Nefedova LN, Balakireva EA, Romanova NI, Kuzmin IV, Lavrenov AR, Kim AI. A Study of the Fertility of a Drosophila melanogaster MS Strain with Impaired Transposition Control of the gypsy Mobile Element. Mol Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893320030097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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20
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Hinnant TD, Merkle JA, Ables ET. Coordinating Proliferation, Polarity, and Cell Fate in the Drosophila Female Germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:19. [PMID: 32117961 PMCID: PMC7010594 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Gametes are highly specialized cell types produced by a complex differentiation process. Production of viable oocytes requires a series of precise and coordinated molecular events. Early in their development, germ cells are an interconnected group of mitotically dividing cells. Key regulatory events lead to the specification of mature oocytes and initiate a switch to the meiotic cell cycle program. Though the chromosomal events of meiosis have been extensively studied, it is unclear how other aspects of oocyte specification are temporally coordinated. The fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has long been at the forefront as a model system for genetics and cell biology research. The adult Drosophila ovary continuously produces germ cells throughout the organism’s lifetime, and many of the cellular processes that occur to establish oocyte fate are conserved with mammalian gamete development. Here, we review recent discoveries from Drosophila that advance our understanding of how early germ cells balance mitotic exit with meiotic initiation. We discuss cell cycle control and establishment of cell polarity as major themes in oocyte specification. We also highlight a germline-specific organelle, the fusome, as integral to the coordination of cell division, cell polarity, and cell fate in ovarian germ cells. Finally, we discuss how the molecular controls of the cell cycle might be integrated with cell polarity and cell fate to maintain oocyte production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor D Hinnant
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Julie A Merkle
- Department of Biology, University of Evansville, Evansville, IN, United States
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
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21
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Sokolova OA, Mikhaleva EA, Kharitonov SL, Abramov YA, Gvozdev VA, Klenov MS. Special vulnerability of somatic niche cells to transposable element activation in Drosophila larval ovaries. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1076. [PMID: 31974416 PMCID: PMC6978372 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57901-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
In the Drosophila ovary, somatic escort cells (ECs) form a niche that promotes differentiation of germline stem cell (GSC) progeny. The piRNA (Piwi-interacting RNA) pathway, which represses transposable elements (TEs), is required in ECs to prevent the accumulation of undifferentiated germ cells (germline tumor phenotype). The soma-specific piRNA cluster flamenco (flam) produces a substantial part of somatic piRNAs. Here, we characterized the biological effects of somatic TE activation on germ cell differentiation in flam mutants. We revealed that the choice between normal and tumorous phenotypes of flam mutant ovaries depends on the number of persisting ECs, which is determined at the larval stage. Accordingly, we found much more frequent DNA breaks in somatic cells of flam larval ovaries than in adult ECs. The absence of Chk2 or ATM checkpoint kinases dramatically enhanced oogenesis defects of flam mutants, in contrast to the germline TE-induced defects that are known to be mostly suppressed by сhk2 mutation. These results demonstrate a crucial role of checkpoint kinases in protecting niche cells against deleterious TE activation and suggest substantial differences between DNA damage responses in ovarian somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olesya A Sokolova
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Elena A Mikhaleva
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Sergey L Kharitonov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Laboratory of Postgenomic Research, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 32 Vavilova St., 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Yuri A Abramov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Vladimir A Gvozdev
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Mikhail S Klenov
- Department of Molecular Genetics of the Cell, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Kurchatov Sq., 123182, Moscow, Russian Federation.
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22
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Kamalidehghan B, Habibi M, Afjeh SS, Shoai M, Alidoost S, Almasi Ghale R, Eshghifar N, Pouresmaeili F. The Importance of Small Non-Coding RNAs in Human Reproduction: A Review Article. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2020; 13:1-11. [PMID: 32021379 PMCID: PMC6956659 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s207491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNA) play a key role in the regulation of gene expression through the translational suppression and control of post-transcriptional modifications. Aim Previous studies demonstrated that miRNAs conduct the pathways involved in human reproduction including maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs), spermatogenesis, oocyte maturation, folliculogenesis and corpus luteum function. The association of miRNA expression with infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), and repeated implantation failure (RIF) was previously revealed. Furthermore, there are evidences of the importance of miRNAs in embryonic development and implantation. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and miRNAs play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulatory processes of germ cells. Indeed, the investigation of small RNAs including miRNAs and piRNAs increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in fertility. In this review, the current knowledge of microRNAs in embryogenesis and fertility is discussed. Conclusion Further research is necessary to provide new insights into the application of small RNAs in the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Kamalidehghan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Habibi
- Central Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara S Afjeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shoai
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Saeideh Alidoost
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Almasi Ghale
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahal Eshghifar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran and Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farkhondeh Pouresmaeili
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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23
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Jiménez-Merino J, Santos de Abreu I, Hiebert LS, Allodi S, Tiozzo S, De Barros CM, Brown FD. Putative stem cells in the hemolymph and in the intestinal submucosa of the solitary ascidian Styela plicata. EvoDevo 2019; 10:31. [PMID: 31788180 PMCID: PMC6876114 DOI: 10.1186/s13227-019-0144-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In various ascidian species, circulating stem cells have been documented to be involved in asexual reproduction and whole-body regeneration. Studies of these cell population(s) are mainly restricted to colonial species. Here, we investigate the occurrence of circulating stem cells in the solitary Styela plicata, a member of the Styelidae, a family with at least two independent origins of coloniality. Results Using flow cytometry, we characterized a population of circulating putative stem cells (CPSCs) in S. plicata and determined two gates likely enriched with CPSCs based on morphology and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity. We found an ALDH + cell population with low granularity, suggesting a stem-like state. In an attempt to uncover putative CPSCs niches in S. plicata, we performed a histological survey for hemoblast-like cells, followed by immunohistochemistry with stem cell and proliferation markers. The intestinal submucosa (IS) showed high cellular proliferation levels and high frequency of undifferentiated cells and histological and ultrastructural analyses revealed the presence of hemoblast aggregations in the IS suggesting a possible niche. Finally, we document the first ontogenetic appearance of distinct metamorphic circulatory mesenchyme cells, which precedes the emergence of juvenile hemocytes. Conclusions We find CPSCs in the hemolymph of the solitary ascidian Styela plicata, presumably involved in the regenerative capacity of this species. The presence of proliferating and undifferentiated mesenchymal cells suggests IS as a possible niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jiménez-Merino
- 1Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Trav. 14, São Paulo, SP 101 05508-090 Brazil.,2Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isadora Santos de Abreu
- 3Laboratório de Neurobiologia Comparativa e do Desenvolvimento, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Fisiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil.,4Pós-Graduação em Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Laurel S Hiebert
- 1Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Trav. 14, São Paulo, SP 101 05508-090 Brazil.,2Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Silvana Allodi
- 3Laboratório de Neurobiologia Comparativa e do Desenvolvimento, Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas-Fisiologia, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil.,4Pós-Graduação em Ciências Morfológicas, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil
| | - Stefano Tiozzo
- 5CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), Sorbonne Universités, 06230 Paris, France
| | - Cintia M De Barros
- 6Laboratório Integrado de Morfologia, Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Sócio Ambiental de Macaé, NUPEM, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, UFRJ, Macae, RJ Brazil
| | - Federico D Brown
- 1Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, Rua do Matão, Trav. 14, São Paulo, SP 101 05508-090 Brazil.,2Centro de Biologia Marinha (CEBIMar), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Estudos Interdisciplinares e Transdisciplinares em Ecologia e Evolução (IN-TREE), Salvador, BA Brazil
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24
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Durdevic Z, Ephrussi A. Germ Cell Lineage Homeostasis in Drosophila Requires the Vasa RNA Helicase. Genetics 2019; 213:911-922. [PMID: 31484689 PMCID: PMC6827371 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.119.302558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The conserved RNA helicase Vasa is required for germ cell development in many organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster loss of PIWI-interacting RNA pathway components, including Vasa, causes Chk2-dependent oogenesis arrest. However, whether the arrest is due to Chk2 signaling at a specific stage and whether continuous Chk2 signaling is required for the arrest is unknown. Here, we show that absence of Vasa during the germarial stages causes Chk2-dependent oogenesis arrest. Additionally, we report the age-dependent decline of the ovariole number both in flies lacking Vasa expression only in the germarium and in loss-of-function vasa mutant flies. We show that Chk2 activation exclusively in the germarium is sufficient to interrupt oogenesis and to reduce ovariole number in aging flies. Once induced in the germarium, Chk2-mediated arrest of germ cell development cannot be overcome by restoration of Vasa or by downregulation of Chk2 in the arrested egg chambers. These findings, together with the identity of Vasa-associated proteins identified in this study, demonstrate an essential role of the helicase in the germ cell lineage maintenance and indicate a function of Vasa in germline stem cell homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeljko Durdevic
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg D-69117, Germany
| | - Anne Ephrussi
- Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg D-69117, Germany
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25
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Hsu HJ, Bahader M, Lai CM. Molecular control of the female germline stem cell niche size in Drosophila. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4309-4317. [PMID: 31300869 PMCID: PMC11105562 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03223-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Adult stem cells have a unique capacity to renew themselves and generate differentiated cells that are needed in the body. These cells are recruited and maintained by the surrounding microenvironment, known as the stem cell niche, during organ development. Thus, the stem cell niche is required for proper tissue homeostasis, and its dysregulation is associated with tumorigenesis and tissue degeneration. The identification of niche components and the mechanisms that regulate niche establishment and maintenance, however, are just beginning to be uncovered. Germline stem cells (GSCs) of the Drosophila ovary provide an excellent model for studying the stem cell niche in vivo because of their well-characterized cell biology and the availability of genetic tools. In this review, we introduce the ovarian GSC niche, and the key signaling pathways for niche precursor segregation, niche specification, and niche extracellular environment establishment and niche maintenance that are involved in regulating niche size during development and adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
| | - Majid Bahader
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ming Lai
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Department of Developmental Biology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY, 10065, USA
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26
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Story B, Ma X, Ishihara K, Li H, Hall K, Peak A, Anoja P, Park J, Haug J, Blanchette M, Xie T. Defining the expression of piRNA and transposable elements in Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells and somatic support cells. Life Sci Alliance 2019; 2:2/5/e201800211. [PMID: 31619466 PMCID: PMC6796194 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201800211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Comprehensive transcriptional characterization of mRNA and small RNA in early Drosophila germline stem cells reveals novel piRNA clusters, transposon dynamics, and alternative splicing events. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are important for repressing transposable elements (TEs) and modulating gene expression in germ cells, thereby maintaining genome stability and germ cell function. Although they are also important for maintaining germline stem cells (GSCs) in the Drosophila ovary by repressing TEs and preventing DNA damage, piRNA expression has not been investigated in GSCs or their early progeny. Here, we show that the canonical piRNA clusters are more active in GSCs and their early progeny than late germ cells and also identify more than 3,000 new piRNA clusters from deep sequencing data. The increase in piRNAs in GSCs and early progeny can be attributed to both canonical and newly identified piRNA clusters. As expected, piRNA clusters in GSCs, but not those in somatic support cells (SCs), exhibit ping-pong signatures. Surprisingly, GSCs and early progeny express more TE transcripts than late germ cells, suggesting that the increase in piRNA levels may be related to the higher levels of TE transcripts in GSCs and early progeny. GSCs also have higher piRNA levels and lower TE levels than SCs. Furthermore, the 3′ UTRs of 171 mRNA transcripts may produce sense, antisense, or dual-stranded piRNAs. Finally, we show that alternative promoter usage and splicing are frequently used to modulate gene function in GSCs and SCs. Overall, this study has provided important insight into piRNA production and TE repression in GSCs and SCs. The rich information provided by this study will be a beneficial resource to the fields of piRNA biology and germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Story
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Xing Ma
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Kazue Ishihara
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Hua Li
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Kathryn Hall
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Allison Peak
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Perera Anoja
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Jungeun Park
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | - Jeff Haug
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
| | | | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, USA
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27
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Li M, Hu X, Zhang S, Ho MS, Wu G, Zhang L. Traffic jam regulates the function of the ovarian germline stem cell progeny differentiation niche during pre-adult stage in Drosophila. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10124. [PMID: 31300663 PMCID: PMC6626045 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45317-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell self-renewal and the daughter cell differentiation are tightly regulated by the respective niches, which produce extrinsic cues to support the proper development. In Drosophila ovary, Dpp is secreted from germline stem cell (GSC) niche and activates the BMP signaling in GSCs for their self-renewal. Escort cells (ECs) in differentiation niche restrict Dpp outside the GSC niche and extend protrusions to help with proper differentiation of the GSC daughter cells. Here we provide evidence that loss of large Maf transcriptional factor Traffic jam (Tj) blocks GSC progeny differentiation. Spatio-temporal specific knockdown experiments indicate that Tj is required in pre-adult EC lineage for germline differentiation control. Further molecular and genetic analyses suggest that the defective germline differentiation caused by tj-depletion is partly attributed to the elevated dpp in the differentiation niche. Moreover, our study reveals that tj-depletion induces ectopic En expression outside the GSC niche, which contributes to the upregulated dpp expression in ECs as well as GSC progeny differentiation defect. Alternatively, loss of EC protrusions and decreased EC number elicited by tj-depletion may also partially contribute to the germline differentiation defect. Collectively, our findings suggest that Tj in ECs regulates germline differentiation by controlling the differentiation niche characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Li
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Xiaolong Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Margaret S Ho
- School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Geng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, The Joint International Research Laboratory of Metabolic & Developmental Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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28
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Mao Y, Tu R, Huang Y, Mao D, Yang Z, Lau PK, Wang J, Ni J, Guo Y, Xie T. The exocyst functions in niche cells to promote germline stem cell differentiation by directly controlling EGFR membrane trafficking. Development 2019; 146:dev.174615. [PMID: 31142545 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The niche controls stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in animal tissues. Although the exocyst is known to be important for protein membrane trafficking and secretion, its role in stem cells and niches has never been reported. Here, this study shows that the exocyst functions in the niche to promote germline stem cell (GSC) progeny differentiation in the Drosophila ovary by directly regulating EGFR membrane trafficking and signaling. Inactivation of exocyst components in inner germarial sheath cells, which form the differentiation niche, causes a severe GSC differentiation defect. The exocyst is required for maintaining niche cells and preventing BMP signaling in GSC progeny by promoting EGFR membrane targeting and signaling through direct association with EGFR. Finally, it is also required for EGFR membrane targeting, recycling and signaling in human cells. Therefore, this study reveals a novel function of the exocyst in niche cells to promote stem cell progeny differentiation by directly controlling EGFR membrane trafficking and signaling in vivo, and also provides important insight into how the niche controls stem cell progeny differentiation at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Mao
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Renjun Tu
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Yan Huang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Decai Mao
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhihao Yang
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Pik Ki Lau
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jianquan Ni
- PKU-THU Joint Center for Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yusong Guo
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ting Xie
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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29
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Heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) is intrinsically required for post-transcriptional regulation of Drosophila Germline Stem Cell (GSC) maintenance. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4372. [PMID: 30867469 PMCID: PMC6416348 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40152-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A very important open question in stem cells regulation is how the fine balance between GSCs self-renewal and differentiation is orchestrated at the molecular level. In the past several years much progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying intrinsic and extrinsic controls of GSC regulation but the complex gene regulatory networks that regulate stem cell behavior are only partially understood. HP1 is a dynamic epigenetic determinant mainly involved in heterochromatin formation, epigenetic gene silencing and telomere maintenance. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed the importance of HP1 in DNA repair, sister chromatid cohesion and, surprisingly, in positive regulation of gene expression. Here, we show that HP1 plays a crucial role in the control of GSC homeostasis in Drosophila. Our findings demonstrate that HP1 is required intrinsically to promote GSC self-renewal and progeny differentiation by directly stabilizing the transcripts of key genes involved in GSCs maintenance.
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30
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Yang F, Quan Z, Huang H, He M, Liu X, Cai T, Xi R. Ovaries absent links dLsd1 to HP1a for local H3K4 demethylation required for heterochromatic gene silencing. eLife 2019; 8:40806. [PMID: 30648969 PMCID: PMC6335052 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heterochromatin Protein 1 (HP1) is a conserved chromosomal protein in eukaryotic cells that has a major role in directing heterochromatin formation, a process that requires co-transcriptional gene silencing mediated by small RNAs and their associated argonaute proteins. Heterochromatin formation requires erasing the active epigenetic mark, such as H3K4me2, but the molecular link between HP1 and H3K4 demethylation remains unclear. In a fertility screen in female Drosophila, we identified ovaries absent (ova), which functions in the stem cell niche, downstream of Piwi, to support germline stem cell differentiation. Moreover, ova acts as a suppressor of position effect variegation, and is required for silencing telomeric transposons in the germline. Biochemically, Ova acts to link the H3K4 demethylase dLsd1 to HP1a for local histone modifications. Therefore, our study provides a molecular connection between HP1a and local H3K4 demethylation during HP1a-mediated gene silencing that is required for ovary development, transposon silencing, and heterochromatin formation. Editorial note: This article has been through an editorial process in which the authors decide how to respond to the issues raised during peer review. The Reviewing Editor's assessment is that all the issues have been addressed (see decision letter). The complete set of genetic material within a cell is known as a genome. The genomes of human and other animal cells have regions of active genes interspersed with ‘dark’ regions known as heterochromatin, which contain genes and other types of genetic material that have been inactivated. Heterochromatin commonly contains sections of genetic material known as transposons. When a transposon is active it is able to move around the genome, therefore, inactivating (or ‘silencing’) transposons helps to maintain the integrity of the genetic material in a cell. It is particularly important to silence transposons in the stem cells that produce sperm and egg cells – known as germline stem cells – to ensure genetic information is faithfully passed on to the next generation. A protein called HP1a plays a major role in directing where heterochromatin forms in the genome. This process requires an enzyme called dLsd1 to remove a small tag from the genetic material but it is not clear how HP1a regulates the activity of dLsd1. To address this question, Yang et al. studied how egg cells form in fruit flies, which are often used as models of animal biology in experiments. The team screened a population of fruit flies that carried mutations in many different genes to identify genes that affect the fertility of female flies. This revealed a gene named as ovaries absent (or ova for short) is required for egg cells to form. In germline stem cells ova silences transposons and in the surrounding tissue it represses a specific signal that usually maintains stem cells to allow the stem cells to divide to make egg cells. Further experiments using biochemical techniques found that the protein encoded by ova acts as a bridge to bring HP1a and dLsd1 together to silence genes in heterochromatin. The next step would be to identify the functional counterpart of the ova gene in mammals, including humans, which may help to discover causes of infertility and develop new fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenghui Quan
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huanwei Huang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Minghui He
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xicheng Liu
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Cai
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Rongwen Xi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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31
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Abstract
Gametogenesis represents the most dramatic cellular differentiation pathways in both female and male flies. At the genome level, meiosis ensures that diploid germ cells become haploid gametes. At the epigenome level, extensive changes are required to turn on and shut off gene expression in a precise spatiotemporally controlled manner. Research applying conventional molecular genetics and cell biology, in combination with rapidly advancing genomic tools have helped us to investigate (1) how germ cells maintain lineage specificity throughout their adult reproductive lifetime; (2) what molecular mechanisms ensure proper oogenesis and spermatogenesis, as well as protect genome integrity of the germline; (3) how signaling pathways contribute to germline-soma communication; and (4) if such communication is important. In this chapter, we highlight recent discoveries that have improved our understanding of these questions. On the other hand, restarting a new life cycle upon fertilization is a unique challenge faced by gametes, raising questions that involve intergenerational and transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. Therefore, we also discuss new developments that link changes during gametogenesis to early embryonic development-a rapidly growing field that promises to bring more understanding to some fundamental questions regarding metazoan development.
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32
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Rojas-Ríos P, Simonelig M. piRNAs and PIWI proteins: regulators of gene expression in development and stem cells. Development 2018; 145:145/17/dev161786. [PMID: 30194260 DOI: 10.1242/dev.161786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PIWI proteins and Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have established and conserved roles in repressing transposable elements (TEs) in the germline of animals. However, in several biological contexts, a large proportion of piRNAs are not related to TE sequences and, accordingly, functions for piRNAs and PIWI proteins that are independent of TE regulation have been identified. This aspect of piRNA biology is expanding rapidly. Indeed, recent reports have revealed the role of piRNAs in the regulation of endogenous gene expression programs in germ cells, as well as in somatic tissues, challenging dogma in the piRNA field. In this Review, we focus on recent data addressing the biological and developmental functions of piRNAs, highlighting their roles in embryonic patterning, germ cell specification, stem cell biology, neuronal activity and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rojas-Ríos
- mRNA Regulation and Development, IGH, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34396, France
| | - Martine Simonelig
- mRNA Regulation and Development, IGH, Univ. Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier 34396, France
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33
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Waghmare I, Page-McCaw A. Wnt Signaling in Stem Cell Maintenance and Differentiation in the Drosophila Germarium. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9030127. [PMID: 29495453 PMCID: PMC5867848 DOI: 10.3390/genes9030127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is a conserved regulator of stem cell behaviors, and the Drosophila germarium has been an important model tissue for the study of stem cell maintenance, differentiation, and proliferation. Here we review Wnt signaling in the germarium, which houses two distinct types of ovarian stem cells: the anteriorly located germline stem cells (GSCs), which give rise to oocytes; and the mid-posteriorly located follicle stem cells (FSCs), which give rise to the somatic follicle cells that cover a developing oocyte. The maintenance and proliferation of GSCs and FSCs is regulated by the stem cell niches, whereas differentiation of the germline is regulated by the differentiation niche. Four distinct Wnt ligands are localized in the germarium, and we focus review on how these Wnt ligands and Wnt signaling affects maintenance and differentiation of both germline and follicle stem cells in their respective niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
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34
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Wang X, Page-McCaw A. Wnt6 maintains anterior escort cells as an integral component of the germline stem cell niche. Development 2018; 145:dev.158527. [PMID: 29361569 PMCID: PMC5818006 DOI: 10.1242/dev.158527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells reside in a niche, a local environment whose cellular and molecular complexity is still being elucidated. In Drosophila ovaries, germline stem cells depend on cap cells for self-renewing signals and physical attachment. Germline stem cells also contact the anterior escort cells, and here we report that anterior escort cells are absolutely required for germline stem cell maintenance. When escort cells die from impaired Wnt signaling or hid expression, the loss of anterior escort cells causes loss of germline stem cells. Anterior escort cells function as an integral niche component by promoting DE-cadherin anchorage and by transiently expressing the Dpp ligand to promote full-strength BMP signaling in germline stem cells. Anterior escort cells are maintained by Wnt6 ligands produced by cap cells; without Wnt6 signaling, anterior escort cells die leaving vacancies in the niche, leading to loss of germline stem cells. Our data identify anterior escort cells as constituents of the germline stem cell niche, maintained by a cap cell-produced Wnt6 survival signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Wang
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Andrea Page-McCaw
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology and Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
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35
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Upadhyay M, Kuna M, Tudor S, Martino Cortez Y, Rangan P. A switch in the mode of Wnt signaling orchestrates the formation of germline stem cell differentiation niche in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007154. [PMID: 29370168 PMCID: PMC5811049 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation into gametes is regulated by both intrinsic factors in the germ line as well as extrinsic factors from the surrounding somatic niche. dWnt4, in the escort cells of the adult somatic niche promotes GSC differentiation using the canonical β-catenin-dependent transcriptional pathway to regulate escort cell survival, adhesion to the germ line and downregulation of self-renewal signaling. Here, we show that in addition to the β-catenin-dependent canonical pathway, dWnt4 also uses downstream components of the Wnt non-canonical pathway to promote escort cell function earlier in development. We find that the downstream non-canonical components, RhoA, Rac1 and cdc42, are expressed at high levels and are active in escort cell precursors of the female larval gonad compared to the adult somatic niche. Consistent with this expression pattern, we find that the non-canonical pathway components function in the larval stages but not in adults to regulate GSC differentiation. In the larval gonad, dWnt4, RhoA, Rac1 and cdc42 are required to promote intermingling of escort cell precursors, a function that then promotes proper escort cell function in the adults. We find that dWnt4 acts by modulating the activity of RhoA, Rac1 and cdc42, but not their protein levels. Together, our results indicate that at different points of development, dWnt4 switches from using the non-canonical pathway components to using a β-catenin-dependent canonical pathway in the escort cells to facilitate the proper differentiation of GSCs. Germ line association with the somatic cells is critical for various aspects of germ cell biology, including migration, self-renewal and differentiation. In Drosophila females, soma–germ line association begins during embryogenesis and continues until the mature egg is formed. In the adult, the somatic escort cells promote differentiation of the germline stem cell daughter using Wnt signaling. dWnt4, a Wnt ligand, acts in an autocrine manner in these escort cells, using the canonical pathway to regulate survival, division and encapsulation of the stem cell daughter, a function critical for differentiation. Here, we show at an earlier stage, in the larvae, the same ligand uses components of Wnt non-canonical pathway, RhoA, Rac1 and cdc42, to regulate proper mingling of escort cell precursors between the germ cells. Thus, dWnt4 uses different modules of signaling at different points in development to promote cell movement and control cytoplasmic protrusions. As Wnts have been associated with cancers, understanding how Wnts modulate cell movement by switching on and off different modules may lead to insights into the etiology and progression of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maitreyi Upadhyay
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Michael Kuna
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Sara Tudor
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Yesenia Martino Cortez
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Prashanth Rangan
- Department of Biological Sciences/RNA Institute, University at Albany SUNY, Albany, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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36
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Su YH, Rastegri E, Kao SH, Lai CM, Lin KY, Liao HY, Wang MH, Hsu HJ. Diet regulates membrane extension and survival of niche escort cells for germline homeostasis via insulin signaling. Development 2018; 145:dev.159186. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.159186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Diet is an important regulator of stem cell homeostasis, however, the underlying mechanisms of this regulation are not fully known. Here, we report that insulin signaling mediates dietary maintenance of Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) by promoting the extension of niche escort cell (EC) membranes to wrap around GSCs. This wrapping may facilitate the delivery of BMP stemness factors from ECs in the niche to GSCs. In addition to the effects on GSCs, insulin signaling-mediated regulation of EC number and protrusions controls the division and growth of GSC progeny. The effects of insulin signaling on EC membrane extension are, at least in part, driven by enhanced translation of Failed axon connections (Fax) via Ribosomal protein S6 kinase. Fax is a membrane protein that may participate in Abl-regulated cytoskeletal dynamics and is known to be involved in axon bundle formation. Therefore, we conclude that dietary cues stimulate insulin signaling in the niche to regulate EC cellular structure, probably via Fax-dependent cytoskeleton remodeling. This mechanism enhances intercellular contact and facilitates homeostatic interactions between somatic and germline cells in response to diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Han Su
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Elham Rastegri
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Han Kao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Min Lai
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Yang Lin
- Molecular and Biological Agricultural Sciences Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and National Chung-Hsing University, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Yu Liao
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Mu-Hsiang Wang
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jan Hsu
- Institute of Cellular and Organismic Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Molecular and Cell Biology, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica and Graduate Institute of Life Science, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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37
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Jankovics F, Bence M, Sinka R, Faragó A, Bodai L, Pettkó-Szandtner A, Ibrahim K, Takács Z, Szarka-Kovács AB, Erdélyi M. Drosophila small ovary gene is required for transposon silencing and heterochromatin organisation and ensures germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Development 2018; 145:dev.170639. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.170639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells is one of the fundamental biological phenomena relying on proper chromatin organisation. In our study, we describe a novel chromatin regulator encoded by the Drosophila small ovary (sov) gene. We demonstrate that sov is required in both the germline stem cells (GSCs) and the surrounding somatic niche cells to ensure GSC survival and differentiation. Sov maintains niche integrity and function by repressing transposon mobility, not only in the germline, but also in the soma. Protein interactome analysis of Sov revealed an interaction between Sov and HP1a. In the germ cell nuclei, Sov co-localises with HP1a, suggesting that Sov affects transposon repression as a component of the heterochromatin. In a position effect variegation assay, we found a dominant genetic interaction between sov and HP1a, indicating their functional cooperation in promoting the spread of heterochromatin. An in vivo tethering assay and FRAP analysis revealed that Sov enhances heterochromatin formation by supporting the recruitment of HP1a to the chromatin. We propose a model in which sov maintains GSC niche integrity by regulating transposon silencing and heterochromatin formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Jankovics
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Melinda Bence
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Rita Sinka
- Department of Genetics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Anikó Faragó
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Bodai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Aladár Pettkó-Szandtner
- Institute of Plant Biology, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Karam Ibrahim
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zsanett Takács
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Miklós Erdélyi
- Institute of Genetics, Biological Research Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Szeged, Hungary
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38
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PIWI family emerging as a decisive factor of cell fate: An overview. Eur J Cell Biol 2017; 96:746-757. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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39
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Tao H, Xiong Q, Zhang F, Zhang N, Liu Y, Suo X, Li X, Yang Q, Chen M. Circular RNA profiling reveals chi_circ_0008219 function as microRNA sponges in pre-ovulatory ovarian follicles of goats (Capra hircus). Genomics 2017; 110:S0888-7543(17)30129-5. [PMID: 29107014 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2017.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a new class of non-coding RNAs in animals and are a novel target of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulation. The mechanism and function of circRNAs have been reported in some species and tissues. However, there is little available information on the functions of circRNAs in the goat reproductive system. In the present study, we deeply sequenced and analyzed circRNAs through bioinformatics to reveal the expression profiles, and predicted 13,950 circRNAs in the pre-ovulatory ovarian follicles of goats for the first time. Thirty-seven circRNAs were differentially expressed in the Boer goat compared with the Macheng black goat. The chi_circ_0008219 was involved in a vast circRNA-miRNA-mRNA co-expression network. Via a luciferase activity assay, chi_circ_0008219 is observed to sponge to 3 ovarian follicle-related miRNAs. These findings demonstrate that circRNAs have potential effects in the ovarian follicles of ewes and may represent a promising new research field in ovarian follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Tao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Qi Xiong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Nian Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Xiaojun Suo
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Xiaofeng Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Qianping Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China
| | - Mingxin Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Embryo Engineering and Molecular Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Hubei, Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430064, China.
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40
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Rojas-Ríos P, Chartier A, Pierson S, Simonelig M. Aubergine and piRNAs promote germline stem cell self-renewal by repressing the proto-oncogene Cbl. EMBO J 2017; 36:3194-3211. [PMID: 29030484 PMCID: PMC5666619 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201797259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins play essential roles in germ cells and stem cell lineages. In Drosophila, Piwi is required in somatic niche cells and germline stem cells (GSCs) to support GSC self‐renewal and differentiation. Whether and how other PIWI proteins are involved in GSC biology remains unknown. Here, we show that Aubergine (Aub), another PIWI protein, is intrinsically required in GSCs for their self‐renewal and differentiation. Aub needs to be loaded with piRNAs to control GSC self‐renewal and acts through direct mRNA regulation. We identify the Cbl proto‐oncogene, a regulator of mammalian hematopoietic stem cells, as a novel GSC differentiation factor. Aub stimulates GSC self‐renewal by repressing Cbl mRNA translation and does so in part through recruitment of the CCR4‐NOT complex. This study reveals the role of piRNAs and PIWI proteins in controlling stem cell homeostasis via translational repression and highlights piRNAs as major post‐transcriptional regulators in key developmental decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Rojas-Ríos
- mRNA Regulation and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Aymeric Chartier
- mRNA Regulation and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Stéphanie Pierson
- mRNA Regulation and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Martine Simonelig
- mRNA Regulation and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, UMR9002 CNRS-Université de Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France
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41
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Fefelova EA, Stolyarenko AD, Yakushev EY, Gvozdev VA, Klenov MS. Participation of the piRNA pathway in recruiting a component of RNA polymerase I transcription initiation complex to germline cell nucleoli. Mol Biol 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893317050089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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42
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Luo L, Siah CK, Cai Y. Engrailed acts with Nejire to control decapentaplegic expression in the Drosophila ovarian stem cell niche. Development 2017; 144:3224-3231. [PMID: 28928281 DOI: 10.1242/dev.145474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Homeostasis of adult tissues is maintained by a small number of stem cells, which are sustained by their niches. In the Drosophila female germline stem cell (GSC) niche, Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is the primary factor that promotes GSC self-renewal. However, the mechanism regulating dpp expression in the niche is largely unknown. Here, we identify a 2.0 kb fragment located in a 5' cis-regulatory region of the dpp locus containing enhancer activity that drives its expression in the niche. This region is distinct from a previously characterized 3' cis-regulatory enhancer responsible for dpp expression in imaginal discs. Our data demonstrate that Engrailed, a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that serves as a cap cell marker, binds to this region and regulates dpp expression in cap cells. Further data suggest that En forms a complex with Nejire (Nej), the Drosophila ortholog of histone acetyltransferase CBP/p300, and directs Nej to this cis-regulatory region where Nej functions as the co-activator for dpp expression. Therefore, our study defines the molecular pathway controlling dpp expression in the Drosophila ovarian stem cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Luo
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 117604 Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Chia Keng Siah
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 117604 Singapore
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 117604 Singapore .,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 117543 Singapore
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43
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Wasserman GA, Szymaniak AD, Hinds AC, Yamamoto K, Kamata H, Smith NM, Hilliard KL, Carrieri C, Labadorf AT, Quinton LJ, Ai X, Varelas X, Chen F, Mizgerd JP, Fine A, O'Carroll D, Jones MR. Expression of Piwi protein MIWI2 defines a distinct population of multiciliated cells. J Clin Invest 2017; 127:3866-3876. [PMID: 28920925 PMCID: PMC5617666 DOI: 10.1172/jci94639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
P-element-induced wimpy testes (Piwi) proteins are known for suppressing retrotransposon activation in the mammalian germline. However, whether Piwi protein or Piwi-dependent functions occur in the mammalian soma is unclear. Contrary to germline-restricted expression, we observed that Piwi-like Miwi2 mRNA is indeed expressed in epithelial cells of the lung in adult mice and that it is induced during pneumonia. Further investigation revealed that MIWI2 protein localized to the cytoplasm of a discrete population of multiciliated airway epithelial cells. Isolation and next-generation sequencing of MIWI2-positive multiciliated cells revealed that they are phenotypically distinct from neighboring MIWI2-negative multiciliated cells. Mice lacking MIWI2 exhibited an altered balance of airway epithelial cells, demonstrating fewer multiciliated cells and an increase in club cells. During pneumococcal pneumonia, Miwi2-deficient mice exhibited increased expression of inflammatory mediators and increased immune cell recruitment, leading to enhanced bacterial clearance. Taken together, our data delineate MIWI2-dependent functions outside of the germline and demonstrate the presence of distinct subsets of airway multiciliated cells that can be discriminated by MIWI2 expression. By demonstrating roles for MIWI2 in airway cell identity and pulmonary innate immunity, these studies elucidate unanticipated physiological functions for Piwi proteins in somatic tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nicole Ms Smith
- The Pulmonary Center.,Department of Medicine.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kristie L Hilliard
- The Pulmonary Center.,Department of Medicine.,Department of Microbiology
| | - Claudia Carrieri
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Adam T Labadorf
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lee J Quinton
- The Pulmonary Center.,Department of Medicine.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Xingbin Ai
- Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Joseph P Mizgerd
- The Pulmonary Center.,Department of Medicine.,Department of Microbiology.,Department of Biochemistry, and
| | - Alan Fine
- The Pulmonary Center.,Department of Medicine
| | - Dónal O'Carroll
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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44
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Huang J, Reilein A, Kalderon D. Yorkie and Hedgehog independently restrict BMP production in escort cells to permit germline differentiation in the Drosophila ovary. Development 2017; 144:2584-2594. [PMID: 28619819 DOI: 10.1242/dev.147702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Multiple signaling pathways guide the behavior and differentiation of both germline stem cells (GSCs) and somatic follicle stem cells (FSCs) in the Drosophila germarium, necessitating careful control of signal generation, range and responses. Signal integration involves escort cells (ECs), which promote differentiation of the GSC derivatives they envelop, provide niche signals for FSCs and derive directly from FSCs in adults. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling induces the Hippo pathway effector Yorkie (Yki) to promote proliferation and maintenance of FSCs, but Hh also signals to ECs, which are quiescent. Here, we show that in ECs both Hh and Yki limit production of BMP ligands to allow germline differentiation. Loss of Yki produced a more severe germarial phenotype than loss of Hh signaling and principally induced a different BMP ligand. Moreover, Yki activity reporters and epistasis tests showed that Yki does not mediate the key actions of Hh signaling in ECs. Thus, both the coupling and output of the Hh and Yki signaling pathways differ between FSCs and ECs despite their proximity and the fact that FSCs give rise directly to ECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, 1212 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Amy Reilein
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, 1212 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Daniel Kalderon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, 1212 Amsterdam Ave., New York, NY 10027, USA
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45
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Histone H1 defect in escort cells triggers germline tumor in Drosophila ovary. Dev Biol 2017; 424:40-49. [PMID: 28232075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila ovary is recognized as one of the best model systems to study stem cell biology in vivo. We had previously identified an autonomous role of the histone H1 in germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance. Here, we found that histone H1 depletion in escort cells (ECs) resulted in an increase of spectrosome-containing cells (SCCs), an ovary tumor-like phenotype. Further analysis showed that the Dpp pathway is excessively activated in these SCC cells, while the expression of bam is attenuated. In the H1-depleted ECs, both transposon activity and DNA damage had increased dramatically, followed by EC apoptosis, which is consistent with the role of H1 in other somatic cells. Surprisingly, H1-depleted ECs acquired cap cell characteristics including dpp expression, and the resulting abnormal Dpp level inhibits SCC further differentiation. Most interestingly, double knockdown of H1 and dpp in ECs can reduce the number of SCCs to the normal level, indicating that the additional Dpp secreted by ECs contributes to the germline tumor. Taken together, our findings indicate that histone H1 is an important epigenetic factor in controlling EC characteristics and a key suppressor of germline tumor.
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46
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Biscotti MA, Canapa A, Forkoni M, Gerdol M, Pallavicini A, Schartl M, Barucca M. The small non-coding RNA processing machinery of two living fossil species, lungfish and coelacanth, gives new insights into the evolution of the Argonaute protein family. Genome Biol Evol 2017; 9:438-453. [PMID: 28206606 PMCID: PMC5381642 DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evx017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Assunta Biscotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Adriana Canapa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Mariko Forkoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
| | - Marco Gerdol
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università di Trieste (Italy)
| | | | - Manifred Schartl
- Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, University of Wuerzburg and Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Clinic Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg, Germany; and Texas Institute for Advanced Study and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Marco Barucca
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona (Italy)
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47
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c-Fos Repression by Piwi Regulates Drosophila Ovarian Germline Formation and Tissue Morphogenesis. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1006281. [PMID: 27622269 PMCID: PMC5021354 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1006281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila melanogaster Piwi functions within the germline stem cells (GSCs) and the somatic niche to regulate GSC self-renewal and differentiation. How Piwi influences GSCs is largely unknown. We uncovered a genetic interaction between Piwi and c-Fos in the somatic niche that influences GSCs. c-Fos is a proto-oncogene that influences many cell and developmental processes. In wild-type ovarian cells, c-Fos is post-transcriptionally repressed by Piwi, which destabilized the c-Fos mRNA by promoting the processing of its 3' untranslated region (UTR) into Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs). The c-Fos 3' UTR was sufficient to trigger Piwi-dependent destabilization of a GFP reporter. Piwi represses c-Fos in the somatic niche to regulate GSC maintenance and differentiation and in the somatic follicle cells to affect somatic cell disorganization, tissue dysmorphogenesis, oocyte maturation arrest, and infertility.
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48
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Yakushev EY, Mikhaleva EA, Abramov YA, Sokolova OA, Zyrianova IM, Gvozdev VA, Klenov MS. The role of Piwi nuclear localization in the differentiation and proliferation of germline stem cells. Mol Biol 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893316040154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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49
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Li X, Yang F, Chen H, Deng B, Li X, Xi R. Control of germline stem cell differentiation by Polycomb and Trithorax group genes in the niche microenvironment. Development 2016; 143:3449-3458. [PMID: 27510973 DOI: 10.1242/dev.137638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Polycomb and Trithorax group (PcG and TrxG) genes function to regulate gene transcription by maintaining a repressive or active chromatin state, respectively. This antagonistic activity is important for body patterning during embryonic development, but whether this function module has a role in adult tissues is unclear. Here, we report that in the Drosophila ovary, disruption of the Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1), specifically in the supporting escort cells, causes blockage of cystoblast differentiation and germline stem cell-like tumor formation. Tumors are caused by derepression of decapentaplegic (dpp), which prevents cystoblast differentiation. Interestingly, activation of dpp in escort cells requires the function of the TrxG gene brahma (brm), suggesting that loss of PRC1 in escort cells causes Brm-dependent dpp expression. Our study suggests a requirement for balanced activity between PcG and TrxG in an adult stem cell niche, and disruption of this balance could lead to the loss of tissue homeostasis and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Li
- College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Fu Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Hongyan Chen
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Bowen Deng
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xinghua Li
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Rongwen Xi
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, No. 7 Science Park Road, Zhongguancun Life Science Park, Beijing 102206, China
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Coskun AF, Eser U, Islam S. Cellular identity at the single-cell level. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2016; 12:2965-79. [PMID: 27460751 DOI: 10.1039/c6mb00388e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A single cell creates surprising heterogeneity in a multicellular organism. While every organismal cell shares almost an identical genome, molecular interactions in cells alter the use of DNA sequences to modulate the gene of interest for specialization of cellular functions. Each cell gains a unique identity through molecular coding across the DNA, RNA, and protein conversions. On the other hand, loss of cellular identity leads to critical diseases such as cancer. Most cell identity dissection studies are based on bulk molecular assays that mask differences in individual cells. To probe cell-to-cell variability in a population, we discuss single cell approaches to decode the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptional, and translational mechanisms for cell identity formation. In combination with molecular instructions, the physical principles behind cell identity determination are examined. Deciphering and reprogramming cellular types impact biology and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmet F Coskun
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, California, USA.
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