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Snedeker J, Davis BEM, Ranjan R, Wooten M, Blundon J, Chen X. Reduced Levels of Lagging Strand Polymerases Shape Stem Cell Chromatin. bioRxiv 2024:2024.04.26.591383. [PMID: 38746451 PMCID: PMC11092439 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.26.591383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Stem cells display asymmetric histone inheritance while non-stem progenitor cells exhibit symmetric patterns in the Drosophila male germline lineage. Here, we report that components involved in lagging strand synthesis, such as DNA polymerase α and δ (Polα and Polδ), have significantly reduced levels in stem cells compared to progenitor cells. Compromising Polα genetically induces the replication-coupled histone incorporation pattern in progenitor cells to be indistinguishable from that in stem cells, which can be recapitulated using a Polα inhibitor in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, stem cell-derived chromatin fibers display a higher degree of old histone recycling by the leading strand compared to progenitor cell-derived chromatin fibers. However, upon reducing Polα levels in progenitor cells, the chromatin fibers now display asymmetric old histone recycling just like GSC-derived fibers. The old versus new histone asymmetry is comparable between stem cells and progenitor cells at both S-phase and M-phase. Together, these results indicate that developmentally programmed expression of key DNA replication components is important to shape stem cell chromatin. Furthermore, manipulating one crucial DNA replication component can induce replication-coupled histone dynamics in non-stem cells in a manner similar to that in stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Snedeker
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Brendon E. M. Davis
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Rajesh Ranjan
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Matthew Wooten
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Current address: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA
| | - Joshua Blundon
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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2
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Vidaurre V, Song A, Li T, Ku WL, Zhao K, Qian J, Chen X. The Drosophila histone methyl-transferase SET1 coordinates multiple signaling pathways in regulating male germline stem cell maintenance and differentiation. bioRxiv 2024:2024.02.14.580277. [PMID: 38405894 PMCID: PMC10888844 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.14.580277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Many cell types come from tissue-specific adult stem cells that maintain the balance between proliferation and differentiation. Here, we study how the H3K4me3 methyltransferase, Set1, regulates early-stage male germ cell proliferation and differentiation in Drosophila. Early-stage germline-specific knockdown of set1 results in a temporally progressed defects, arising as germ cell loss and developing to overpopulated early-stage germ cells. These germline defects also impact the niche architecture and cyst stem cell lineage in a non-cell-autonomous manner. Additionally, wild-type Set1, but not the catalytically inactive Set1, could rescue the set1 knockdown phenotypes, highlighting the functional importance of the methyl-transferase activity of the Set1 enzyme. Further, RNA-seq experiments reveal key signaling pathway components, such as the JAK-STAT pathway gene stat92E and the BMP pathway gene mad, that are upregulated upon set1 knockdown. Genetic interaction assays support the functional relationships between set1 and JAK-STAT or BMP pathways, as mutations of both the stat92E and mad genes suppress the set1 knockdown phenotypes. These findings enhance our understanding of the balance between proliferation and differentiation in an adult stem cell lineage. The germ cell loss followed by over-proliferation phenotypes when inhibiting a histone methyl-transferase raise concerns about using their inhibitors in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Velinda Vidaurre
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Annabelle Song
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Taibo Li
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Wai Lim Ku
- Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Keji Zhao
- Systems Biology Center, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jiang Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xin Chen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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Rahmawati M, Stadler KM, Lopez-Biladeau B, Hoisington TM, Law NC. Core binding factor subunit β plays diverse and essential roles in the male germline. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1284184. [PMID: 38020932 PMCID: PMC10653448 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1284184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Much of the foundation for lifelong spermatogenesis is established prior to puberty, and disruptions during this developmental window negatively impact fertility long into adulthood. However, the factors that coordinate prepubertal germline development are incompletely understood. Here, we report that core-binding factor subunit-β (CBFβ) plays critical roles in prepubertal development and the onset of spermatogenesis. Using a mouse conditional knockout (cKO) approach, inactivation of Cbfb in the male germline resulted in rapid degeneration of the germline during the onset of spermatogenesis, impaired overall sperm production, and adult infertility. Utilizing a different Cre driver to generate another Cbfb cKO model, we determined that the function of CBFβ in the male germline is likely limited to undifferentiated spermatogonia despite expression in other germ cell types. Within undifferentiated spermatogonia, CBFβ regulates proliferation, survival, and overall maintenance of the undifferentiated spermatogonia population. Paradoxically, we discovered that CBFβ also distally regulates meiotic progression and spermatid formation but only with Cbfb cKO within undifferentiated spermatogonia. Spatial transcriptomics revealed that CBFβ modulates cell cycle checkpoint control genes associated with both proliferation and meiosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that core programs established within the prepubertal undifferentiated spermatogonia population are necessary for both germline maintenance and sperm production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustika Rahmawati
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Kassie M. Stadler
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Blanca Lopez-Biladeau
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Tia M. Hoisington
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
| | - Nathan C. Law
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, United States
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Duan H, Shao X, Liu W, Xiang J, Pan N, Wang X, Du G, Li Y, Zhou J, Sui L. Spatio-temporal patterns of ovarian development and VgR gene silencing reduced fecundity in parthenogenetic Artemia. Open Biol 2023; 13:230172. [PMID: 37963545 PMCID: PMC10645507 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.230172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The halophilic zooplankton brine shrimp Artemia has been used as an experimental animal in multidisciplinary studies. However, the reproductive patterns and its regulatory mechanisms in Artemia remain unclear. In this study, the ovarian development process of parthenogenetic Artemia (A. parthenogenetica) was divided into five stages, and oogenesis or egg formation was identified in six phases. The oogenesis mode was assumed to be polytrophic. We also traced the dynamic translocation of candidate germline stem cells (cGSCs) using EdU labelling and elucidated several key cytological events in oogenesis through haematoxylin and eosin staining and fluorescence imaging. Distinguished from the ovary structure of insects and crustaceans, Artemia germarium originated from ovariole buds and are located at the base of the ovarioles. RNA-seq based on five stages of ovarian development identified 2657 upregulated genes related to reproduction by pair-to-pair comparison. Gbb, Dpp, piwi, vasa, nanos, VgA and VgR genes associated with cGSCs recognition and reproductive development were screened and verified using qPCR. Silencing of the VgR gene in A. parthenogenetica (Ap-VgR) at ovarian development Stage II led to a low level of gene expression (less than 10%) within 5 days, which resulted in variations in oogenesis-related gene expression and significantly inhibited vitellogenesis, impeded oocyte maturation, and eventually decreased the number of offspring. In conclusion, we have illustrated the patterns of ovarian development, outlined the key spatio-temporal features of oogenesis and identified the negative impacts of VgR gene knockdown on oogenesis using A. parthenogenetica as an experimental animal. The findings of this study also lay a foundation for the further study of reproductive biology of invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Duan
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Chemistry and Food Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuanxuan Shao
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Liu
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianhai Xiang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao 266071, People's Republic of China
| | - Namin Pan
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehui Wang
- Tianjin Fisheries Research Institute, Tianjin 300221, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoru Du
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Li
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaping Zhou
- Research Center of Modern Analytical Technology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
| | - Liying Sui
- Asian Regional Artemia Reference Center, College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Chemistry and Food Technology, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, No. 29, 13th Avenue, Tianjin 300457, People's Republic of China
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Easwaran S, Montell DJ. The molecular mechanisms of diapause and diapause-like reversible arrest. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1847-1856. [PMID: 37800560 PMCID: PMC10657177 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Diapause is a protective mechanism that many organisms deploy to overcome environmental adversities. Diapause extends lifespan and fertility to enhance the reproductive success and survival of the species. Although diapause states have been known and employed for commercial purposes, for example in the silk industry, detailed molecular and cell biological studies are an exciting frontier. Understanding diapause-like protective mechanisms will shed light on pathways that steer organisms through adverse conditions. One hope is that an understanding of the mechanisms that support diapause might be leveraged to extend the lifespan and/or health span of humans as well as species threatened by climate change. In addition, recent findings suggest that cancer cells that persist after treatment mimic diapause-like states, implying that these programs may facilitate cancer cell survival from chemotherapy and cause relapse. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying diapause programs in a variety of organisms, and we discuss pathways supporting diapause-like states in tumor persister cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreesankar Easwaran
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A
| | - Denise J. Montell
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, U.S.A
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Kong R, Li J, Liu F, Ma Y, Zhao H, Zhao H, Ma M, Li Z. A feedforward loop between JAK/STAT downstream target p115 and STAT in germline stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:1940-1953. [PMID: 37683644 PMCID: PMC10656303 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of germline stem cells (GSCs) is essential for tissue homeostasis. JAK/STAT signaling maintains GSC fate in Drosophila testis. However, how JAK/STAT signaling maintains male GSC fate through its downstream targets remains poorly understood. Here, we identify p115, a tER/cis-Golgi golgin protein, as a putative downstream target of JAK/STAT signaling. p115 maintains GSC fate independent of GM130 and GRASP65. p115 localizes in cytosol, the ER and Golgi apparatus in germline cells and is required for the morphology of the ER and Golgi apparatus. Furthermore, depletion of p115 in GSCs results in aberrant spindle orientation. Mechanistically, p115 associates with and stabilizes STAT. Finally, ectopic expression of STAT completely restores GSC loss caused by p115 depletion. Collectively, JAK/STAT signaling and p115 form a feedforward loop to maintain male GSC fate. Our work provides new insights into the regulatory mechanism of how stem cell maintenance is properly controlled by JAK/STAT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyan Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Juan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Fuli Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Yankun Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Hanfei Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
| | - Meifang Ma
- 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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7
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Sun Z, Nystul TG, Zhong G. Single-cell RNA sequencing identifies eggplant as a regulator of germ cell development in Drosophila. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56475. [PMID: 37603128 PMCID: PMC10561367 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) are a powerful model for stem cell research. In this study, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), an RNAi screen and bioinformatic analysis, to identify genes involved in germ cell differentiation, including 34 genes with upregulated expression during early germ cell development and 19 genes that may regulate germ cell differentiation. Among these, a gene we have named eggplant (eggpl) is highly expressed in GSCs and downregulated in early daughter cells. RNAi knockdown of eggpl causes germ cell proliferation and differentiation defects. In flies fed a rich yeast diet, the expression of eggpl is significantly lower and knockdown or knockout of eggpl phenocopies a rich diet. In addition, eggpl knockdown suppresses the reduction in germ cell proliferation caused by inhibition of the insulin effector PI3K. These findings suggest that downregulation of eggpl links nutritional status to germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Collectively, this study provides new insights into the signaling networks that regulate early germ cell development and identifies eggpl as a key player in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhipeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of EducationSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | | | - Guohua Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management in South China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural AffairsSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of EducationSouth China Agricultural UniversityGuangzhouChina
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8
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Maintenance of the Drosophila male germline stem cells (GSCs) requires activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway by niche signals. The precise role of JAK/STAT signaling in GSC maintenance, however, remains incompletely understood. RESULTS Here, we show that, GSC maintenance requires both canonical and non-canonical JAK/STAT signaling, in which unphosphorylated STAT (uSTAT) maintains heterochromatin stability by binding to heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1). We found that GSC-specific overexpressing STAT, or even the transcriptionally inactive mutant STAT, increases GSC number and partially rescues the GSC-loss mutant phenotype due to reduced JAK activity. Furthermore, we found that both HP1 and STAT are transcriptional targets of the canonical JAK/STAT pathway in GSCs, and that GSCs exhibit higher heterochromatin content. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that persistent JAK/STAT activation by niche signals leads to the accumulation of HP1 and uSTAT in GSCs, which promote heterochromatin formation important for maintaining GSC identity. Thus, the maintenance of Drosophila GSCs requires both canonical and non-canonical STAT functions within GSCs for heterochromatin regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Xing
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Kimberly Larson
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Willis X Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Department of Biomedical Genetics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
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Ranjan R, Snedeker J, Wooten M, Chu C, Bracero S, Mouton T, Chen X. Differential condensation of sister chromatids acts with Cdc6 to ensure asynchronous S-phase entry in Drosophila male germline stem cell lineage. Dev Cell 2022; 57:1102-1118.e7. [PMID: 35483360 PMCID: PMC9134767 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
During Drosophila melanogaster male germline stem cell (GSC) asymmetric division, preexisting old versus newly synthesized histones H3 and H4 are asymmetrically inherited. However, the biological outcomes of this phenomenon have remained unclear. Here, we tracked old and new histones throughout the GSC cell cycle through the use of high spatial and temporal resolution microscopy. We found unique features that differ between old and new histone-enriched sister chromatids, including differences in nucleosome density, chromosomal condensation, and H3 Ser10 phosphorylation. These distinct chromosomal features lead to their differential association with Cdc6, a pre-replication complex component, and subsequent asynchronous DNA replication initiation in the resulting daughter cells. Disruption of asymmetric histone inheritance abolishes differential Cdc6 association and asynchronous S-phase entry, demonstrating that histone asymmetry acts upstream of these critical cell-cycle progression events. Furthermore, disruption of these GSC-specific chromatin features leads to GSC defects, indicating a connection between histone inheritance, cell-cycle progression, and cell fate determination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Ranjan
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
| | - Jonathan Snedeker
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Matthew Wooten
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Carolina Chu
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Sabrina Bracero
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Taylar Mouton
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA; Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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Tseng CY, Burel M, Cammer M, Harsh S, Flaherty MS, Baumgartner S, Bach EA. chinmo-mutant spermatogonial stem cells cause mitotic drive by evicting non-mutant neighbors from the niche. Dev Cell 2022; 57:80-94.e7. [PMID: 34942115 PMCID: PMC8752517 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Niches maintain a finite pool of stem cells via restricted space and short-range signals. Stem cells compete for limited niche resources, but the mechanisms regulating competition are poorly understood. Using the Drosophila testis model, we show that germline stem cells (GSCs) lacking the transcription factor Chinmo gain a competitive advantage for niche access. Surprisingly, chinmo-/- GSCs rely on a new mechanism of competition in which they secrete the extracellular matrix protein Perlecan to selectively evict non-mutant GSCs and then upregulate Perlecan-binding proteins to remain in the altered niche. Over time, the GSC pool can be entirely replaced with chinmo-/- cells. As a consequence, the mutant chinmo allele acts as a gene drive element; the majority of offspring inherit the allele despite the heterozygous genotype of the parent. Our results suggest that the influence of GSC competition may extend beyond individual stem cell niche dynamics to population-level allelic drift and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yuan Tseng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Burel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Cammer
- DART Microscopy Laboratory, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sneh Harsh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maria Sol Flaherty
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Stefan Baumgartner
- Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Lunds Universitet, 22184 Lund, Sweden; Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78467 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Erika A Bach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Hoshino R, Niwa R. Regulation of Mating-Induced Increase in Female Germline Stem Cells in the Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster. Front Physiol 2021; 12:785435. [PMID: 34950056 PMCID: PMC8689587 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.785435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In many insect species, mating stimuli can lead to changes in various behavioral and physiological responses, including feeding, mating refusal, egg-laying behavior, energy demand, and organ remodeling, which are collectively known as the post-mating response. Recently, an increase in germline stem cells (GSCs) has been identified as a new post-mating response in both males and females of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. We have extensively studied mating-induced increase in female GSCs of D. melanogaster at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. After mating, the male seminal fluid peptide [e.g. sex peptide (SP)] is transferred to the female uterus. This is followed by binding to the sex peptide receptor (SPR), which evokes post-mating responses, including increase in number of female GSCs. Downstream of SP-SPR signaling, the following three hormones and neurotransmitters have been found to act on female GSC niche cells to regulate mating-induced increase in female GSCs: (1) neuropeptide F, a peptide hormone produced in enteroendocrine cells; (2) octopamine, a monoaminergic neurotransmitter synthesized in ovary-projecting neurons; and (3) ecdysone, a steroid hormone produced in ovarian follicular cells. These humoral factors are secreted from each organ and are received by ovarian somatic cells and regulate the strength of niche signaling in female GSCs. This review provides an overview of the latest findings on the inter-organ relationship to regulate mating-induced female GSC increase in D. melanogaster as a model. We also discuss the remaining issues that should be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Hoshino
- Degree Programs in Life and Earth Sciences, Graduate School of Science and Technology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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12
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Abstract
The centromere is the constricted chromosomal region required for the correct separation of the genetic material at cell division. The kinetochore protein complex assembles at the centromere and captures microtubules emanating from the centrosome to orchestrate chromosome segregation in mitosis and meiosis. Asymmetric cell division (ACD) is a special type of mitosis that generates two daughter cells with different fates. Epigenetic mechanisms operating at the centromere have been proposed to contribute to ACD. Recent studies have shown that an asymmetric distribution of CENP-A-the centromere-specific histone H3 variant-between sister chromatids can bias chromosome segregation in ACD. In stem cells, this leads to non-random sister chromatid segregation, which can affect cell fate. These findings support the 'silent sister' hypothesis, according to which the mechanisms of ACD are epigenetically regulated through centromeres. Here, we review the recent data implicating centromeres in ACDs and cell fate in Drosophila melanogaster female and male germline stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antje M. Kochendoerfer
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Federica Modafferi
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Elaine M. Dunleavy
- Centre for Chromosome Biology, Biomedical Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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13
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Bubnell JE, Fernandez-Begne P, Ulbing CKS, Aquadro CF. Diverse wMel variants of Wolbachia pipientis differentially rescue fertility and cytological defects of the bag of marbles partial loss of function mutation in Drosophila melanogaster. G3 (Bethesda) 2021; 11:6365939. [PMID: 34580706 PMCID: PMC8664471 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In Drosophila melanogaster, the maternally inherited endosymbiont Wolbachia pipientis interacts with germline stem cell genes during oogenesis. One such gene, bag of marbles (bam) is the key switch for differentiation and also shows signals of adaptive evolution for protein diversification. These observations have led us to hypothesize that W. pipientis could be driving the adaptive evolution of bam for control of oogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we must understand the specificity of the genetic interaction between bam and W. pipientis. Previously, we documented that the W. pipientis variant, wMel, rescued the fertility of the bamBW hypomorphic mutant as a transheterozygote over a bam null. However, bamBW was generated more than 20 years ago in an uncontrolled genetic background and maintained over a balancer chromosome. Consequently, the chromosome carrying bamBW accumulated mutations that have prevented controlled experiments to further assess the interaction. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to engineer the same single amino acid bam hypomorphic mutation (bamL255F) and a new bam null disruption mutation into the w1118 isogenic background. We assess the fertility of wildtype bam, bamL255F/bamnull hypomorphic, and bamL255F/bamL255F mutant females, each infected individually with 10 W. pipientis wMel variants representing three phylogenetic clades. Overall, we find that all of the W. pipientis variants tested here rescue bam hypomorphic fertility defects with wMelCS-like variants exhibiting the strongest rescue effects. In addition, these variants did not increase wildtype bam female fertility. Therefore, both bam and W. pipientis interact in genotype-specific ways to modulate female fertility, a critical fitness phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaclyn E Bubnell
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Paula Fernandez-Begne
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Cynthia K S Ulbing
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Charles F Aquadro
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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14
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Au HK, Peng SW, Guo CL, Lin CC, Wang YL, Kuo YC, Law TY, Ho HN, Ling TY, Huang YH. Niche Laminin and IGF-1 Additively Coordinate the Maintenance of Oct-4 Through CD49f/IGF-1R-Hif-2α Feedforward Loop in Mouse Germline Stem Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:646644. [PMID: 34381769 PMCID: PMC8351907 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.646644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanism on how extracellular matrix (ECM) cooperates with niche growth factors and oxygen tension to regulate the self-renewal of embryonic germline stem cells (GSCs) still remains unclear. Lacking of an appropriate in vitro cell model dramatically hinders the progress. Herein, using a serum-free culture system, we demonstrated that ECM laminin cooperated with hypoxia and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) to additively maintain AP activity and Oct-4 expression of AP+GSCs. We found the laminin receptor CD49f expression in d2 testicular GSCs that were surrounded by laminin. Laminin and hypoxia significantly increased the GSC stemness-related genes, including Hif-2α, Oct-4, IGF-1R, and CD49f. Cotreatment of IGF-1 and laminin additively increased the expression of IGF-IR, CD49f, Hif-2α, and Oct-4. Conversely, silencing IGF-1R and/or CD49f decreased the expression of Hif-2α and Oct-4. The underlying mechanism involved CD49f/IGF1R-(PI3K/AKT)-Hif-2α signaling loop, which in turn maintains Oct-4 expression, symmetric self-renewal, and cell migration. These findings reveal the additive niche laminin/IGF-IR network during early GSC development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng-Kien Au
- Taipei Medical University (TMU) Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Syue-Wei Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Lin Guo
- Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chia Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lin Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Che Kuo
- Taipei Medical University (TMU) Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tsz-Yau Law
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Nerng Ho
- Taipei Medical University (TMU) Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Municipal Wanfang Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Thai-Yen Ling
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Hua Huang
- Taipei Medical University (TMU) Research Center of Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Reproductive Medicine, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,International Ph.D. Program for Cell Therapy and Regeneration Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Comprehensive Cancer Center of Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
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15
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Abstract
Germ cell acts as a link between transfer of genetic information and process of species evolution. Defects or malformations of germ cells can lead to infertility or tumors. Germ cell regeneration is one of the effective ways to treat the infertility. Therefore, it is of great scientific and clinical interests to dissect the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying germ cell regeneration. Progress have already been achieved in germ cell regeneration using model organisms for decades. However, key open issues regarding the underpinning mechanisms still remain poorly understood. Zebrafish is well known for its powerful regenerative capacity to regenerate various tissues and organs. Recently, advances in genomics, genetics, microscopy, and single cell technologies have made zebrafish an attractive model to study germ cell development and regeneration. Here we review recent technologies for the study of germ cell regeneration in zebrafish, highlight the potential of germline stem cells (GSCs) in the contribution to reproductive system regeneration, and discuss the nanos. Wnt signaling and germ cell-specific factors involved in the regulation of germ cell regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zigang Cao
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Organ Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an, China
| | - Qifen Yang
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lingfei Luo
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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16
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Abstract
Cells within tissues are routinely subjected to physiological stress and strain, arising from direct interactions with neighboring cells as well as with extracellular matrix components. Accordingly, there is tremendous interest in deciphering how cells sense, and respond to, changes in biomechanical forces. In this study, we explored the effects of mechanostimulation on the differentiation of mouse female germline or oogonial stem cells (OSCs) as a model for adult stem cell function. We report that increasing levels, or repeated application of a subthreshold fixed level, of radial strain to OSCs in culture significantly increased rates of in vitro oocyte formation as a measure of stem cell differentiation. These responses involved changes in F-actin-mediated cytoskeletal tension as well as in activation of intracellular signaling by Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) and Yes-associated protein (YAP) phosphorylation. In addition, application of mechanical strain to OSCs enhanced association of YAP with muscle-specific cytidine-adenosine-thymidine (MCAT) response elements in the promoter stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8), the transcriptional activation of which is required for germline meiotic commitment. These data indicate that biomechanical strain directly promotes the differentiation of adult female germline stem cells through a signaling pathway involving F-actin, ROCK, YAP, and Stra8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A MacDonald
- Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dori C Woods
- Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan L Tilly
- Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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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: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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18
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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19
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Yoshinari Y, Ameku T, Kondo S, Tanimoto H, Kuraishi T, Shimada-Niwa Y, Niwa R. Neuronal octopamine signaling regulates mating-induced germline stem cell increase in female Drosophila melanogaster. eLife 2020; 9:57101. [PMID: 33077027 PMCID: PMC7591258 DOI: 10.7554/elife.57101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cells fuel the development and maintenance of tissues. Many studies have addressed how local signals from neighboring niche cells regulate stem cell identity and their proliferative potential. However, the regulation of stem cells by tissue-extrinsic signals in response to environmental cues remains poorly understood. Here we report that efferent octopaminergic neurons projecting to the ovary are essential for germline stem cell (GSC) increase in response to mating in female Drosophila. The neuronal activity of the octopaminergic neurons is required for mating-induced GSC increase as they relay the mating signal from sex peptide receptor-positive cholinergic neurons. Octopamine and its receptor Oamb are also required for mating-induced GSC increase via intracellular Ca2+ signaling. Moreover, we identified Matrix metalloproteinase-2 as a downstream component of the octopamine-Ca2+ signaling to induce GSC increase. Our study provides a mechanism describing how neuronal system couples stem cell behavior to environmental cues through stem cell niche signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuto Yoshinari
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Tomotsune Ameku
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shu Kondo
- Invertebrate Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
| | - Hiromu Tanimoto
- Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kuraishi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,AMED-PRIME, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Shimada-Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ryusuke Niwa
- Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (TARA), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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20
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Dutta P, Nath S, Li J, Li WX. Drosophila SERTAD domain protein Taranis is required in somatic cells for maintenance of male germline stem cells. Dev Dyn 2020; 250:237-248. [PMID: 32969117 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycomb proteins are essential for maintaining stem cell identity across different stem cell niches. However, how they function to maintain stem cell niches is not fully understood. RESULTS Here we show that the SERTAD protein Taranis (Tara), which is a Polycomb-trithorax group protein, is expressed in the adult testis niche and plays a role in its maintenance in Drosophila. We found that tara is expressed in early cyst cells, likely including somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) of Drosophila male testis tip region, which houses both germline and somatic cyst stem cells along with the hub cells, forming the stem cell niche. Consistent with its expression, we found that, while loss of tara in germline cells only had minimal effects, tara knockdown in all cells or only in somatic cells of the niche reduced the number of not only somatic cells, but also germline stem cells (GSCs). We further found that Tara might antagonize Notch signaling in CySCs to maintain the stem cell niche. CONCLUSIONS Our studies suggest that Tara might function in somatic CySCs for GSC maintenance in the Drosophila testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranabananda Dutta
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA.,Division of Cancer Research and Training, Department of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Soma Nath
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jinghong Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Willis X Li
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
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21
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Wang M, Chen X, Wu Y, Zheng Q, Chen W, Yan Y, Luan X, Shen C, Fang J, Zheng B, Yu J. RpS13 controls the homeostasis of germline stem cell niche through Rho1-mediated signals in the Drosophila testis. Cell Prolif 2020; 53:e12899. [PMID: 32896929 PMCID: PMC7574871 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Stem cell niche regulated the renewal and differentiation of germline stem cells (GSCs) in Drosophila. Previously, we and others identified a series of genes encoding ribosomal proteins that may contribute to the self‐renewal and differentiation of GSCs. However, the mechanisms that maintain and differentiate GSCs in their niches were not well understood. Materials and Methods Flies were used to generate tissue‐specific gene knockdown. Small interfering RNAs were used to knockdown genes in S2 cells. qRT‐PCR was used to examine the relative mRNA expression level. TUNEL staining or flow cytometry assays were used to detect cell survival. Immunofluorescence was used to determine protein localization and expression pattern. Results Herein, using a genetic manipulation approach, we investigated the role of ribosomal protein S13 (RpS13) in testes and S2 cells. We reported that RpS13 was required for the self‐renewal and differentiation of GSCs. We also demonstrated that RpS13 regulated cell proliferation and apoptosis. Mechanistically, we showed that RpS13 regulated the expression of ribosome subunits and could moderate the expression of the Rho1, DE‐cad and Arm proteins. Notably, Rho1 imitated the phenotype of RpS13 in both Drosophila testes and S2 cells, and recruited cell adhesions, which was mediated by the DE‐cad and Arm proteins. Conclusion These findings uncover a novel mechanism of RpS13 that mediates Rho1 signals in the stem cell niche of the Drosophila testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yibo Wu
- Human Reproductive and Genetic Center, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qianwen Zheng
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Wanyin Chen
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yidan Yan
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xiaojin Luan
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Cong Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jie Fang
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Yu
- Department of Gynecology, the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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22
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Lee MH, Navarro RE, Han SM. Editorial: Germline Development: From Germline Stem Cells to Gametes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:650. [PMID: 32850795 PMCID: PMC7424077 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Myon-Hee Lee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
| | - Rosa E Navarro
- Departamento de Biología Celular y Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Sung Min Han
- Department of Aging and Geriatric Research, College of Medicine at the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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23
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Satirapod C, Wang N, MacDonald JA, Sun M, Woods DC, Tilly JL. Estrogen regulation of germline stem cell differentiation as a mechanism contributing to female reproductive aging. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:7313-7333. [PMID: 32302290 PMCID: PMC7202493 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Progressive loss of ovarian estrogen (E2) production is a hallmark feature of, if not a driving force behind, reproductive aging and the menopause. Recent genetic studies in mice have shown that female germline or oogonial stem cells (OSCs) contribute to maintenance of adult ovarian function and fertility under physiological conditions through support of de-novo oogenesis. Here we show that mouse OSCs express E2 receptor-α (ERα). In the presence of E2, ERα interacts with the stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (Stra8) promoter to drive Stra8 expression followed by oogenesis. Treatment of mice with E2 in vivo increases Stra8 expression and oogenesis, and these effects are nullified by ERα (Esr1), but not ERβ (Esr2), gene disruption. Although mice lacking ERα are born with a normal quota of oocytes, ERα-deficient females develop premature ovarian insufficiency in adulthood due to impaired oogenesis. Lastly, mice treated with reversible ER antagonists show a loss of Stra8 expression and oocyte numbers; however, both endpoints rebound to control levels after ceasing drug treatment. These findings establish a key physiological role for E2-ERα signaling in promoting OSC differentiation as a potential mechanism to maintain adequate numbers of ovarian follicles during reproductive life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chonthicha Satirapod
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Current address: Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Julie A. MacDonald
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Current address: Department of Medical Oncology Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Minghan Sun
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dori C. Woods
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan L. Tilly
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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24
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Wilcockson SG, Ashe HL. Drosophila Ovarian Germline Stem Cell Cytocensor Projections Dynamically Receive and Attenuate BMP Signaling. Dev Cell 2019; 50:296-312.e5. [PMID: 31178401 PMCID: PMC6688100 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2019.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In the Drosophila ovarian germline, Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signals released by niche cells promote germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance. Although BMP signaling is known to repress expression of a key differentiation factor, it remains unclear whether BMP-responsive transcription also contributes positively to GSC identity. Here, we identify the GSC transcriptome using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), including the BMP-induced transcriptional network. Based on these data, we provide evidence that GSCs form two types of cellular projections. Genetic manipulation and live ex vivo imaging reveal that both classes of projection allow GSCs to access a reservoir of Dpp held away from the GSC-niche interface. Moreover, microtubule-rich projections, termed "cytocensors", form downstream of BMP and have additional functionality, which is to attenuate BMP signaling. In this way, cytocensors allow dynamic modulation of signal transduction to facilitate differentiation following GSC division. This ability of cytocensors to attenuate the signaling response expands the repertoire of functions associated with signaling projections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott G Wilcockson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Hilary L Ashe
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
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25
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Nilangekar K, Murmu N, Sahu G, Shravage BV. Generation and Characterization of Germline-Specific Autophagy and Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Reporters in Drosophila. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:47. [PMID: 31001531 PMCID: PMC6456670 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oogenesis is a fundamental process that forms the egg and, is crucial for the transmission of genetic information to the next generation. Drosophila oogenesis has been used extensively as a genetically tractable model to study organogenesis, niche-germline stem cell communication, and more recently reproductive aging including germline stem cell (GSC) aging. Autophagy, a lysosome-mediated degradation process, is implicated in gametogenesis and aging. However, there is a lack of genetic tools to study autophagy in the context of gametogenesis and GSC aging. Here we describe the generation of three transgenic lines mcherry-Atg8a, GFP-Ref(2)P and mito-roGFP2-Orp1 that are specifically expressed in the germline compartment including GSCs during Drosophila oogenesis. These transgenes are expressed from the nanos promoter and present a better alternative to UASp mediated overexpression of transgenes. These fluorescent reporters can be used to monitor and quantify autophagy, and the production of reactive oxygen species during oogenesis. These reporters provide a valuable tool that can be utilized in designing genetic screens to identify novel regulators of autophagy and redox homeostasis during oogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiran Nilangekar
- Developmental Biology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, India
| | - Nidhi Murmu
- Developmental Biology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, India
| | - Govind Sahu
- Developmental Biology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India
| | - Bhupendra V Shravage
- Developmental Biology Group, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, India.,Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Pune, India
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26
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Zhou H, Zeng Z, Koentgen F, Khan M, Mombaerts P. The testicular soma of Tsc22d3 knockout mice supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from spermatogonial stem cell lines upon transplantation. Genesis 2019; 57:e23295. [PMID: 31001916 PMCID: PMC6617806 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are adult stem cells that are slowly cycling and self-renewing. The pool of SSCs generates very large numbers of male gametes throughout the life of the individual. SSCs can be cultured in vitro for long periods of time, and established SSC lines can be manipulated genetically. Upon transplantation into the testes of infertile mice, long-term cultured mouse SSCs can differentiate into fertile spermatozoa, which can give rise to live offspring. Here, we show that the testicular soma of mice with a conditional knockout (conKO) in the X-linked gene Tsc22d3 supports spermatogenesis and germline transmission from cultured mouse SSCs upon transplantation. Infertile males were produced by crossing homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females with homozygous ROSA26-Cre males. We obtained 96 live offspring from six long-term cultured SSC lines with the aid of intracytoplasmic sperm injection. We advocate the further optimization of Tsc22d3-conKO males as recipients for testis transplantation of SSC lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Zhou
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Zhen Zeng
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Mona Khan
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Frankfurt, Germany
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27
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Martin JJ, Woods DC, Tilly JL. Implications and Current Limitations of Oogenesis from Female Germline or Oogonial Stem Cells in Adult Mammalian Ovaries. Cells 2019; 8:E93. [PMID: 30696098 PMCID: PMC6407002 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A now large body of evidence supports the existence of mitotically active germ cells in postnatal ovaries of diverse mammalian species, including humans. This opens the possibility that adult stem cells naturally committed to a germline fate could be leveraged for the production of female gametes outside of the body. The functional properties of these cells, referred to as female germline or oogonial stem cells (OSCs), in ovaries of women have recently been tested in various ways, including a very recent investigation of the differentiation capacity of human OSCs at a single cell level. The exciting insights gained from these experiments, coupled with other data derived from intraovarian transplantation and genetic tracing analyses in animal models that have established the capacity of OSCs to generate healthy eggs, embryos and offspring, should drive constructive discussions in this relatively new field to further exploring the value of these cells to the study, and potential management, of human female fertility. Here, we provide a brief history of the discovery and characterization of OSCs in mammals, as well as of the in-vivo significance of postnatal oogenesis to adult ovarian function. We then highlight several key observations made recently on the biology of OSCs, and integrate this information into a broader discussion of the potential value and limitations of these adult stem cells to achieving a greater understanding of human female gametogenesis in vivo and in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Martin
- Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Dori C Woods
- Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Jonathan L Tilly
- Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Department of Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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28
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Porter DF, Prasad A, Carrick BH, Kroll-Connor P, Wickens M, Kimble J. Toward Identifying Subnetworks from FBF Binding Landscapes in Caenorhabditis Spermatogenic or Oogenic Germlines. G3 (Bethesda) 2019; 9:153-165. [PMID: 30459181 PMCID: PMC6325917 DOI: 10.1534/g3.118.200300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Metazoan PUF (Pumilio and FBF) RNA-binding proteins regulate various biological processes, but a common theme across phylogeny is stem cell regulation. In Caenorhabditis elegans, FBF (fem-3 Binding Factor) maintains germline stem cells regardless of which gamete is made, but FBF also functions in the process of spermatogenesis. We have begun to "disentangle" these biological roles by asking which FBF targets are gamete-independent, as expected for stem cells, and which are gamete-specific. Specifically, we compared FBF iCLIP binding profiles in adults making sperm to those making oocytes. Normally, XX adults make oocytes. To generate XX adults making sperm, we used a fem-3(gf) mutant requiring growth at 25°; for comparison, wild-type oogenic hermaphrodites were also raised at 25°. Our FBF iCLIP data revealed FBF binding sites in 1522 RNAs from oogenic adults and 1704 RNAs from spermatogenic adults. More than half of these FBF targets were independent of germline gender. We next clustered RNAs by FBF-RNA complex frequencies and found four distinct blocks. Block I RNAs were enriched in spermatogenic germlines, and included validated target fog-3, while Block II and III RNAs were common to both genders, and Block IV RNAs were enriched in oogenic germlines. Block II (510 RNAs) included almost all validated FBF targets and was enriched for cell cycle regulators. Block III (21 RNAs) was enriched for RNA-binding proteins, including previously validated FBF targets gld-1 and htp-1 We suggest that Block I RNAs belong to the FBF network for spermatogenesis, and that Blocks II and III are associated with stem cell functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas F Porter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Aman Prasad
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Brian H Carrick
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Peggy Kroll-Connor
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Marvin Wickens
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
| | - Judith Kimble
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin 53706
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29
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the origin of sperm and defined by their functions of "colonization in the testis" and "spermatogenesis". In vitro manipulation techniques of SSCs contribute to a wide variety of fields including reproductive medicine and molecular breeding. This review presents the recent progress of the biology and manipulation technologies of SSCs. METHODS Research articles regarding SSC biology and technologies were collected and summarized. MAIN FINDINGS Dr. Ralph Brinster developed the spermatogonial transplantation technique that enables SSC detection by functional markers. Using this technique, cultured SSCs, termed germline stem (GS) cells, were established from the mouse. GS cells provide the opportunity to produce genome-edited animals without using zygotes. In vitro spermatogenesis allows production of haploid germ cells from GS cells without spermatogonial transplantation. The recent advancement of pluripotent stem cell culture techniques has also achieved production of functional GS-like cells in addition to male/female germ cells. CONCLUSION Although in vitro manipulation techniques of GS cells have been developed for the mouse, it appears to be difficult to apply these techniques to other species. Understanding and control of interspecies barriers are required to extend this technology to nonrodent mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Takashima
- Faculty of Textile Science and TechnologyShinshu UniversityUedaJapan
- Graduate school of Science and TechnologyShinshu UniversityUedaJapan
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30
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Herrera SC, Bach EA. JNK signaling triggers spermatogonial dedifferentiation during chronic stress to maintain the germline stem cell pool in the Drosophila testis. eLife 2018; 7:e36095. [PMID: 29985130 PMCID: PMC6070334 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Exhaustion of stem cells is a hallmark of aging. In the Drosophila testis, dedifferentiated germline stem cells (GSCs) derived from spermatogonia increase during lifespan, leading to the model that dedifferentiation counteracts the decline of GSCs in aged males. To test this, we blocked dedifferentiation by mis-expressing the differentiation factor bag of marbles (bam) in spermatogonia while lineage-labeling these cells. Strikingly, blocking bam-lineage dedifferentiation under normal conditions in virgin males has no impact on the GSC pool. However, in mated males or challenging conditions, inhibiting bam-lineage dedifferentiation markedly reduces the number of GSCs and their ability to proliferate and differentiate. We find that bam-lineage derived GSCs have significantly higher proliferation rates than sibling GSCs in the same testis. We determined that Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activity is autonomously required for bam-lineage dedifferentiation. Overall, we show that dedifferentiation provides a mechanism to maintain the germline and ensure fertility under chronically stressful conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erika A Bach
- New York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell BiologyNew York University School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
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31
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Ote M, Yamamoto D. Enhancing Nanos expression via the bacterial TomO protein is a conserved strategy used by the symbiont Wolbachia to fuel germ stem cell maintenance in infected Drosophila females. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 2018; 98:e21471. [PMID: 29701280 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The toxic manipulator of oogenesis (TomO) protein has been identified in the wMel strain of Wolbachia that symbioses with the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, as a protein that affects host reproduction. TomO protects germ stem cells (GSCs) from degeneration, which otherwise occurs in ovaries of host females that are mutant for the gene Sex-lethal (Sxl). We isolated the TomO homologs from wPip, a Wolbachia strain from the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. One of the homologs, TomOwPip 1, exerted the GSC rescue activity in fly Sxl mutants when lacking its hydrophobic stretches. The GSC-rescuing action of the TomOwPip 1 variant was ascribable to its abilities to associate with Nanos (nos) mRNA and to enhance Nos protein expression. The analysis of structure-activity relationships with TomO homologs and TomO deletion variants revealed distinct modules in the protein that are each dedicated to different functions, i.e., subcellular localization, nos mRNA binding or Nos expression enhancement. We propose that modular reshuffling is the basis for structural and functional diversification of TomO protein members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Ote
- Division of Neurogenetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Life Sciences, Sendai, Japan
| | - Daisuke Yamamoto
- Neuro-network Evolution Project, Advanced ICT Research Institute, 588-2 Iwaoka, Iwaoka-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe, Hyogo Pref 651-2492, Japan
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32
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Osman I, Pek JW. A sisRNA/miRNA Axis Prevents Loss of Germline Stem Cells during Starvation in Drosophila. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:4-12. [PMID: 30008327 PMCID: PMC6067505 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal reproduction responds to nutritional status. During starvation, Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans enter a period of reproductive diapause with increase apoptosis, while maintaining a stable pool of germline stem cells (GSCs). How GSCs are protected is not understood. Here, we show that a sisRNA/miRNA axis maintains ovarian GSCs during starvation in Drosophila. Starvation induces the expression of an ovary-enriched sisRNA sisR-2, which negatively regulates GSC maintenance via a fatty acid metabolism gene dFAR1. sisR-2 promotes the expression of bantam, which in turn inhibits the activity of sisR-2, forming a negative feedback loop. Therefore, bantam acts as a buffer to counteract sisR-2 activity to prevent GSC loss during starvation. We propose that the sisR-2/bantam axis confers robustness to GSCs in Drosophila. sisR-2 regulates the number of GSCs sisR-2 regulates GSC maintenance by repressing dFAR1 bantam regulates GSC maintenance by repressing sisR-2 activity sisR-2/bantam axis protects GSCs from starvation
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Affiliation(s)
- Ismail Osman
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Jun Wei Pek
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
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33
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Ng AYE, Peralta KRG, Pek JW. Germline Stem Cell Heterogeneity Supports Homeostasis in Drosophila. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:13-21. [PMID: 29887366 PMCID: PMC6066994 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult and embryonic stem cells exhibit fluctuating gene expression; however, the biological significance of stem cell heterogeneity is not well understood. We show that, in Drosophila, female germline stem cells (GSCs) exhibit heterogeneous expression of a GSC differentiation-promoting factor Regena (Rga). The Drosophila homolog of human SON, dsn, is required to maintain GSC heterogeneity by suppressing sustained high levels of Rga. Reducing the expression of Rga in dsn mutants restores GSC heterogeneity and self-renewal. Thus, GSC heterogeneity is linked to GSC homeostasis. Female germline stem cells have heterogeneous Rga expression dsn suppresses rga transcription and maintains heterogeneity dsn maintains germline stem cells Lowering rga restores heterogeneity and suppresses dsn phenotypes
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Yunn Ee Ng
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore
| | | | - Jun Wei Pek
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, 1 Research Link, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
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34
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Chen D, Zhou L, Sun F, Sun M, Tao X. Cyclin B3 Deficiency Impairs Germline Stem Cell Maintenance and Its Overexpression Delays Cystoblast Differentiation in Drosophila Ovary. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010298. [PMID: 29351213 PMCID: PMC5796243 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that cyclinB3 (cycB3) plays a key role in the control of cell cycle progression. However, whether cycB3 is involved in stem cell fate determination remains unknown. The Drosophila ovary provides an exclusive model for studying the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that modulate the fate of germline stem cells (GSCs). Here, using this model, we show that DrosophilacycB3 plays a new role in controlling the fate of germline stem cells (GSC). Results from cycB3 genetic analyses demonstrate that cycB3 is intrinsically required for GSC maintenance. Results from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transgene reporter assays show that cycB3 is not involved in Dad-mediated regulation of Bmp signaling, or required for dpp-induced bam transcriptional silencing. Double mutants of bam and cycB3 phenocopied bam single mutants, suggesting that cycB3 functions in a bam-dependent manner in GSCs. Deficiency of cycB3 fails to cause apoptosis in GSCs or influence cystoblast (CB) differentiation into oocytes. Furthermore, overexpression of cycB3 dramatically increases the CB number in Drosophila ovaries, suggesting that an excess of cycB3 function delays CB differentiation. Given that the cycB3 gene is evolutionarily conserved, from insects to humans, cycB3 may also be involved in controlling the fate of GSCs in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
- The Institute of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
| | - Lijuan Zhou
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
| | - Fuling Sun
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
| | - Mingzhong Sun
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
| | - Xiaoqian Tao
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China.
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Chen D, Tao X, Zhou L, Sun F, Sun M, Fang X. Spaghetti, a homolog of human RPAP3 (RNA polymerase II-associated protein 3), determines the fate of germline stem cells in Drosophila ovary. Cell Biol Int 2017; 42:769-780. [PMID: 29110400 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Drosophila ovary provides an attractive model for studying the extrinsic or intrinsic factors that regulate the fate of germline stem cells (GSCs). Using this model, we identified a new role for Drosophila spaghetti (spag), encoding a homolog of human RNA polymerase II-associated protein 3 (RPAP3), in regulating the fate of ovarian GSCs. Results from spag knockdown and genetic mosaic studies suggest that spag functions as an intrinsic factor for GSCs maintenance. Loss of Spag by, either spag RNAi or null mutation failed to trigger apoptosis in ovarian GSCs. Overexpression of spag led to negligible increases in the number of GSC/Cystoblast (CB) cells, suggesting that an excess of Spag is not sufficient to accelerate the proliferation of GSCs or delay CBs' differentiation. Our study provides evidence supporting that spag is involved in adult stem cells maintenance. In addition, the RNAi screen results showed that knockdown of Hsp90, one of known Spag interacting partners, led to loss of ovarian GSCs in Drosophila. Heterozygous mutations in hsp90 (hsp90/+) dramatically accelerated the GSC loss in spag RNAi ovaries, suggesting that the Spag-contained complex possibly plays an essential role in controlling the GSCs fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, #1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, P.R. China.,The Institute of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241000, China
| | - Xiaoqian Tao
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, #1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, P.R. China
| | - Lijuan Zhou
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, #1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, P.R. China
| | - Fuling Sun
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, #1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhong Sun
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, #1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, P.R. China
| | - Xin Fang
- Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation Research of Biological Resources in Anhui, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, #1 Beijing East Road, Wuhu, Anhui, 241000, P.R. China
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36
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Eun SH, Feng L, Cedeno-Rosario L, Gan Q, Wei G, Cui K, Zhao K, Chen X. Polycomb Group Gene E(z) Is Required for Spermatogonial Dedifferentiation in Drosophila Adult Testis. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:2030-2041. [PMID: 28434938 PMCID: PMC5516936 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Dedifferentiation is an important process to replenish lost stem cells during aging or regeneration after injury to maintain tissue homeostasis. Here, we report that Enhancer of Zeste [E(z)], a component of the Polycomb repression complex 2 (PRC2), is required to maintain a stable pool of germline stem cells (GSCs) within the niche microenvironment. During aging, germ cells with reduced E(z) activity cannot meet that requirement, but the defect arises from neither increased GSC death nor premature differentiation. Instead, we found evidence that the decrease of GSCs upon the inactivation of E(z) in the germline could be attributed to defective dedifferentiation. During recovery from genetically manipulated GSC depletion, E(z) knockdown germ cells also fail to replenish lost GSCs. Taken together, our data suggest that E(z) acts intrinsically in germ cells to activate dedifferentiation and thus replenish lost GSCs during both aging and tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suk Ho Eun
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Lijuan Feng
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Luis Cedeno-Rosario
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Qiang Gan
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Gang Wei
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kairong Cui
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Keji Zhao
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Biology, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA.
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Tan SWS, Lee QY, Wong BSE, Cai Y, Baeg GH. Redox Homeostasis Plays Important Roles in the Maintenance of the Drosophila Testis Germline Stem Cells. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:342-354. [PMID: 28669604 PMCID: PMC5511110 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress influences stem cell behavior by promoting the differentiation, proliferation, or apoptosis of stem cells. Thus, characterizing the effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on stem cell behavior provides insights into the significance of redox homeostasis in stem cell-associated diseases and efficient stem cell expansion for cellular therapies. We utilized the Drosophila testis as an in vivo model to examine the effects of ROS on germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance. High levels of ROS induced by alteration in Keap1/Nrf2 activity decreased GSC number by promoting precocious GSC differentiation. Notably, high ROS enhanced the transcription of the EGFR ligand spitz and the expression of phospho-Erk1/2, suggesting that high ROS-mediated GSC differentiation is through EGFR signaling. By contrast, testes with low ROS caused by Keap1 inhibition or antioxidant treatment showed an overgrowth of GSC-like cells. These findings suggest that redox homeostasis regulated by Keap1/Nrf2 signaling plays important roles in GSC maintenance. Germline stem cell homeostasis in the Drosophila testis is susceptible to ROS levels Oxidative stress decreases germline stem cell number by promoting differentiation EGFR signaling is involved in precocious GSC differentiation caused by high ROS levels Low levels of ROS can promote a growth of germline stem cells
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Wui Sing Tan
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD10, 4 Medical Drive, Singapore 117594, Singapore
| | - Qian Ying Lee
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD10, 4 Medical Drive, Singapore 117594, Singapore
| | - Belinda Shu Ee Wong
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD10, 4 Medical Drive, Singapore 117594, Singapore
| | - Yu Cai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore; Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543, Singapore
| | - Gyeong Hun Baeg
- Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD10, 4 Medical Drive, Singapore 117594, Singapore.
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Xiong M, Ferder IC, Ohguchi Y, Wang N. Quantitative analysis of male germline stem cell differentiation reveals a role for the p53-mTORC1 pathway in spermatogonial maintenance. Cell Cycle 2016; 14:2905-13. [PMID: 26177380 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1069928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
p53 protects cells from DNA damage by inducing cell-cycle arrest upon encountering genomic stress. Among other pathways, p53 elicits such an effect by inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), the master regulator of cell proliferation and growth. Although recent studies have indicated roles for both p53 and mTORC1 in stem cell maintenance, it remains unclear whether the p53-mTORC1 pathway is conserved to mediate this process under normal physiological conditions. Spermatogenesis is a classic stem cell-dependent process in which undifferentiated spermatogonia undergo self-renewal and differentiation to maintain the lifelong production of spermatozoa. To better understand this process, we have developed a novel flow cytometry (FACS)-based approach that isolates spermatogonia at consecutive differentiation stages. By using this as a tool, we show that genetic loss of p53 augments mTORC1 activity during early spermatogonial differentiation. Functionally, loss of p53 drives spermatogonia out of the undifferentiated state and causes a consistent expansion of early differentiating spermatogonia until the stage of preleptotene (premeiotic) spermatocyte. The frequency of early meiotic spermatocytes is, however, dramatically decreased. Thus, these data suggest that p53-mTORC1 pathway plays a critical role in maintaining the homeostasis of early spermatogonial differentiation. Moreover, our FACS approach could be a valuable tool in understanding spermatogonial differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mulin Xiong
- a Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology; Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School ; Boston , MA USA
| | - Ianina C Ferder
- a Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology; Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School ; Boston , MA USA
| | - Yasuyo Ohguchi
- a Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology; Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School ; Boston , MA USA
| | - Ning Wang
- a Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology; Vincent Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Massachusetts General Hospital; Harvard Medical School ; Boston , MA USA
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Chandran U, Indu S, Kumar ATR, Devi AN, Khan I, Srivastava D, Kumar PG. Expression of Cnnm1 and Its Association with Stemness, Cell Cycle, and Differentiation in Spermatogenic Cells in Mouse Testis. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:7. [PMID: 27251091 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.130369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclin M1 (CNNM1) functions as a copper storage protein in neuronal cells. We report that Cnnm1 is expressed in mouse testis and brain and has a coding sequence of 1761 bp that encodes a 586 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 66 kDa. Cnnm1 is expressed in the testes of mice from neonatal to adult stages with relatively higher levels in neonates. CNNM1 expression appeared to be restricted to c-KIT- and OCT3/4-positive cells in the testis, indicating that they are early spermatogonial cells. Spermatogonial stem cells in primary culture expressed Cnnm1, and their differentiation into embryoid body-like clusters in vitro resulted in the loss of Cnnm1 expression. Silencing of Cnnm1 in GC1-spg cells resulted in a significant reduction in the number of cells in G1 phase with concomitant increase in the numbers of cells in both S and G2/M phases. Further, retinoic acid downregulated the expression of Cnnm1 in GC1-spg cells. We conclude that CNNM1 is associated with stemness and self-renewal, and its downregulation triggers differentiation in spermatogonial cells in mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Chandran
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Sivankutty Indu
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Anil T R Kumar
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - A N Devi
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Irfan Khan
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Diwas Srivastava
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Pradeep G Kumar
- Division of Molecular Reproduction, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
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Abstract
Here, we study the molecular evolution of a near complete set of genes that had functional evidence in the regulation of the Drosophila germline and neural stem cell. Some of these genes have previously been shown to be rapidly evolving by positive selection raising the possibility that stem cell genes as a group have elevated signatures of positive selection. Using recent Drosophila comparative genome sequences and population genomic sequences of Drosophila melanogaster, we have investigated both long- and short-term evolution occurring across these two different stem cell systems, and compared them with a carefully chosen random set of genes to represent the background rate of evolution. Our results showed an excess of genes with evidence of a recent selective sweep in both germline and neural stem cells in D. melanogaster. However compared with their control genes, both stem cell systems had no significant excess of genes with long-term recurrent positive selection in D. melanogaster, or across orthologous sequences from the melanogaster group. The evidence of long-term positive selection was limited to a subset of genes with specific functions in both the germline and neural stem cell system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Young Choi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University
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Abstract
Recent studies show that nuclear lamins, the type V intermediate filament proteins, are required for proper building of at least some organs. As the major structural components of the nuclear lamina found underneath the inner nuclear membranes, lamins are ubiquitously expressed in all animal cells. How the broadly expressed lamins support the building of specific tissues is not understood. By studying Drosophila testis, we have uncovered a mechanism by which lamin-B functions in the cyst stem cell (CySC) and its differentiated cyst cell, the cell types known to form the niche/microenvironment for the germline stem cells (GSC) and the developing germ line, to ensure testis organogenesis (1). In this extra view, we discuss some remaining questions and the implications of our findings in the understanding of how the ubiquitous nuclear lamina regulates tissue building in a context-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Chen
- a Department of Embryology; Carnegie Institution for Science; Baltimore, MD USA
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Abstract
This unit describes a method for isolating undifferentiated, stem cell-like germline cells from adult Drosophila ovaries. Here, we demonstrate that this population of cells can be effectively purified from hand-dissected ovaries in considerably large quantities. Tumor ovaries with expanded populations of undifferentiated germline cells are first removed from fly abdomens and dissociated into a cell suspension with the aid of protease treatment. The target cells, which express Vasa-green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein under the control of the germline-specific vasa promoter, are specifically selected from the suspension via fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). These protocols can be adapted to isolate other cell types from fly ovaries, such as somatic follicle cells or escort cells, by driving GFP expression in the respective target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Su May Lim
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Motomi Osato
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Toshie Kai
- Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Park ES, Tilly JL. Use of DEAD-box polypeptide-4 (Ddx4) gene promoter-driven fluorescent reporter mice to identify mitotically active germ cells in post-natal mouse ovaries. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 21:58-65. [PMID: 25147160 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Several laboratories have independently isolated mitotically active germ cells, termed female germline stem cells or oogonial stem cells (OSCs), from adult mouse ovaries. However, a recent study using Ddx4-Cre;Rosa26 reporter mice concluded that such germ cells do not exist. Given the disparity in conclusions drawn in this study compared with others, we felt it was important to re-assess the utility of Ddx4-Cre;Rosa26 reporter mice for identification of OSCs in adult mouse ovaries. Transgenic Ddx4-Cre mice were crossed with Rosa26(tdTm/tdTm) mice to drive restricted tomato red (tdTm) gene expression in cells in which the Ddx4 gene promoter has been activated. Crude dispersion of ovaries from recombined offspring generated cell fractions containing tdTm-positive immature oocytes, which are incapable of proliferation and thus probably represent the uncharacterized reporter-positive ovarian cells identified in the paper Zhang et al. (2012) as being mitotically inactive. Dispersed ovaries further subjected to fluorescence-activated cell sorting yielded a large population of non-germline tdTm-positive cells, indicative of promoter 'leakiness' in the Ddx4-Cre mouse line. Nonetheless, a small percentage of these tdTm-positive cells exhibited externalized (extracellular, ec) expression of Ddx4 protein (ecDdx4-positive), expressed markers of primitive germ cells but not of oocytes, and actively proliferated in culture, all of which are characteristic features of OSCs. Thus, crude dispersion of ovaries collected from Ddx4 gene promoter-driven reporter mice is not, by itself, a reliable approach to identify OSCs, whereas the same ovarian dispersates further subjected to cell sorting strategies yield purified OSCs that can be expanded in culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Sil Park
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan L Tilly
- Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Chan F, Oatley MJ, Kaucher AV, Yang QE, Bieberich CJ, Shashikant CS, Oatley JM. Functional and molecular features of the Id4+ germline stem cell population in mouse testes. Genes Dev 2014; 28:1351-62. [PMID: 24939937 PMCID: PMC4066404 DOI: 10.1101/gad.240465.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Chan et al. generated transgenic mice in which spermatogonial stem cells expressed an Id4-Gfp transgene. Id4-Gfp+ cells exist primarily as a subset of the type Asingle pool and eventually comprise ∼2% of the undifferentiated spermatogonial population in adulthood. RNA sequencing analysis revealed genes whose expression is unique for the Id4-Gfp+/stem cell and Id4-Gfp−/progenitor fractions. These findings provide evidence that stem cells exist as a rare subset of the Asingle pool and reveal transcriptome features distinguishing stem cell and progenitor states within the mammalian male germline. The maintenance of cycling cell lineages relies on undifferentiated subpopulations consisting of stem and progenitor pools. Features that delineate these cell types are undefined for many lineages, including spermatogenesis, which is supported by an undifferentiated spermatogonial population. Here, we generated a transgenic mouse line in which spermatogonial stem cells are marked by expression of an inhibitor of differentiation 4 (Id4)-green fluorescent protein (Gfp) transgene. We found that Id4-Gfp+ cells exist primarily as a subset of the type Asingle pool, and their frequency is greatest in neonatal development and then decreases in proportion during establishment of the spermatogenic lineage, eventually comprising ∼2% of the undifferentiated spermatogonial population in adulthood. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that expression of 11 and 25 genes is unique for the Id4-Gfp+/stem cell and Id4-Gfp−/progenitor fractions, respectively. Collectively, these findings provide the first definitive evidence that stem cells exist as a rare subset of the Asingle pool and reveal transcriptome features distinguishing stem cell and progenitor states within the mammalian male germline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frieda Chan
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
| | - Melissa J Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
| | - Amy V Kaucher
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
| | - Qi-En Yang
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
| | - Charles J Bieberich
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland 21250, USA
| | - Cooduvalli S Shashikant
- Department of Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
| | - Jon M Oatley
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Center for Reproductive Biology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA
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Choi JY, Aquadro CF. The coevolutionary period of Wolbachia pipientis infecting Drosophila ananassae and its impact on the evolution of the host germline stem cell regulating genes. Mol Biol Evol 2014; 31:2457-71. [PMID: 24974378 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msu204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia pipientis is known to infect a wide range of arthropod species yet less is known about the coevolutionary history it has with its hosts. Evidence of highly identical W. pipientis strains in evolutionary divergent hosts suggests horizontal transfer between hosts. For example, Drosophila ananassae is infected with a W. pipientis strain that is nearly identical in sequence to a strain that infects both D. simulans and D. suzukii, suggesting recent horizontal transfer among these three species. However, it is unknown whether the W. pipientis strain had recently invaded all three species or a more complex infectious dynamic underlies the horizontal transfers. Here, we have examined the coevolutionary history of D. ananassae and its resident W. pipientis to infer its period of infection. Phylogenetic analysis of D. ananassae mitochondrial DNA and W. pipientis DNA sequence diversity revealed the current W. pipientis infection is not recent. In addition, we examined the population genetics and molecular evolution of several germline stem cell (GSC) regulating genes of D. ananassae. These studies reveal significant evidence of recent and long-term positive selection at stonewall in D. ananassae, whereas pumillio showed patterns of variation consistent with only recent positive selection. Previous studies had found evidence for adaptive evolution of two key germline differentiation genes, bag of marbles (bam) and benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn), in D. melanogaster and D. simulans and proposed that the adaptive evolution at these two genes was driven by arms race between the host GSC and W. pipientis. However, we did not find any statistical departures from a neutral model of evolution for bam and bgcn in D. ananassae despite our new evidence that this species has been infected with W. pipientis for a period longer than the most recent infection in D. melanogaster. In the end, analyzing the GSC regulating genes individually showed two of the seven genes to have evidence of selection. However, combining the data set and fitting a specific population genetic model significant proportion of the nonsynonymous sites across the GSC regulating genes were driven to fixation by positive selection. Clearly the GSC system is under rapid evolution and potentially multiple drivers are causing the rapid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Young Choi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University
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Abid SN, Richardson TE, Powell HM, Jaichander P, Chaudhary J, Chapman KM, Hamra FK. A-single spermatogonia heterogeneity and cell cycles synchronize with rat seminiferous epithelium stages VIII-IX. Biol Reprod 2014; 90:32. [PMID: 24389876 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.113555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In mammalian testes, "A-single" spermatogonia function as stem cells that sustain sperm production for fertilizing eggs. Yet, it is not understood how cellular niches regulate the developmental fate of A-single spermatogonia. Here, immunolabeling studies in rat testes define a novel population of ERBB3(+) germ cells as approximately 5% of total SNAP91(+) A-single spermatogonia along a spermatogenic wave. As a function of time, ERBB3(+) A-single spermatogonia are detected during a 1- to 2-day period each 12.9-day sperm cycle, representing 35%-40% of SNAP91(+) A-single spermatogonia in stages VIII-IX of the seminiferous epithelium. Local concentrations of ERBB3(+) A-single spermatogonia are maintained under the mean density measured for neighboring SNAP91(+) A-single spermatogonia, potentially indicative of niche saturation. ERBB3(+) spermatogonia also synchronize their cell cycles with epithelium stages VIII-IX, where they form physical associations with preleptotene spermatocytes transiting the blood-testis barrier and Sertoli cells undergoing sperm release. Thus, A-single spermatogonia heterogeneity within this short-lived and reoccurring microenvironment invokes novel theories on how cellular niches integrate with testicular physiology to orchestrate sperm development in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadaan N Abid
- Department of Pharmacology, Cecil H. & Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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Abstract
Adult stem cell therapies are increasingly prevalent for the treatment of damaged or diseased tissues, but most of the improvements observed to date are attributed to the ability of stem cells to produce paracrine factors that have a trophic effect on existing tissue cells, improving their functional capacity. It is now clear that this ability to produce trophic factors is a normal and necessary function for some stem cell populations. In vivo adult stem cells are thought to self-renew due to local signals from the microenvironment where they live, the niche. Several niches have now been identified which harbor multiple stem cell populations. In three of these niches - the Drosophila testis, the bulge of the mammalian hair follicle, and the mammalian bone marrow - one type of stem cell has been found to produce factors that contribute to the maintenance of a second stem cell population in the shared niche. In this review, I will examine the architecture of these three niches and discuss the molecular signals involved. Together, these examples establish a new paradigm for stem cell behavior, that stem cells can promote the maintenance of other stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Leatherman
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO, USA
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Ji Y, Jarnik M, Tulin AV. Poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase and poly(ADP-ribose)-interacting protein Hrp38 regulate pattern formation during Drosophila eye development. Gene 2013; 526:187-94. [PMID: 23711619 PMCID: PMC3729623 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2013.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Drosophila Hrp38, a homolog of human hnRNP A1, has been shown to regulate splicing, but its function can be modified by poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. Notwithstanding such findings, our understanding of the roles of poly(ADP-ribosyl)ated Hrp38 on development is limited. Here, we have demonstrated that Hrp38 is essential for fly eye development based on a rough-eye phenotype with disorganized ommatidia observed in adult escapers of the hrp38 mutant. We also observed that poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (Parg) loss-of-function, which caused increased Hrp38 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, also resulted in the rough-eye phenotype with disrupted ommatidial lattice and reduced number of photoreceptor cells. In addition, ectopic expression of DE-cadherin, which is required for retinal morphogenesis, fully rescued the rough-eye phenotype of the hrp38 mutant. Similarly, Parg mutant eye clones had decreased expression level of DE-cadherin with orientation defects, which is reminiscent of DE-cadherin mutant eye phenotype. Therefore, our results suggest that Hrp38 poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation controls eye pattern formation via regulation of DE-cadherin expression, a finding which has implications for understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of Hrp38-related Fragile X syndrome and PARP1-related retinal degeneration diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingbiao Ji
- Cancer Biology Program, Epigenetics and Progenitor Cell Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA 19111, USA
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Abstract
The concept that oogenesis continues into reproductive life has been well established in nonmammalian species. Recent studies of mice and women indicate that oocyte formation is also not, as traditionally believed, restricted to the fetal or perinatal periods. Analogous to de novo oocyte formation in flies and fish, newly formed oocytes in adult mammalian ovaries arise from germline stem cells (GSCs) or, more specifically, oogonial stem cells (OSCs). Studies of mice have confirmed that isolated OSCs, once delivered back into adult ovaries, are capable of generating fully functional eggs that fertilize to produce healthy embryos and offspring. Parallel studies of OSCs recently purified from ovaries of reproductive-age women indicate that these cells closely resemble their mouse ovary-derived counterparts, although the fertilization competency of oocytes generated by human OSCs awaits clarification. Despite the ability of OSCs to produce new oocytes during adulthood, oogenesis will still ultimately cease with age, contributing to ovarian failure. The causal mechanisms behind these events in mammals are unknown, but studies of flies have revealed that GSC niche dysfunction plays a critical role in age-related oogenic failure. Such insights derived from evaluation of nonmammalian species, in which postnatal oogenesis has been studied in depth, may aid in development of new strategies to alleviate ovarian failure and infertility in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dori C. Woods
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan L. Tilly
- Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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50
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Abstract
A central feature of the continuum of life in sexually reproducing metazoans is the cycle of the germline from one generation to the next. This volume describes the cycle of the germline for Caenorhabditis elegans through chapters that are focused on distinct aspects or processes in germ cell development. Topics include sequential and dependent processes such as specification of germ cells as distinct from somatic cells, sex determination, stem cell proliferative fate versus meiotic development decision, recombination/progression through meiotic prophase, contemporaneous processes such as gametogenesis, meiotic development and apoptosis, and continuing the cycle into the next generation through fertilization and the oocyte-to-embryo transition. Throughout germ cell development, translational control and epigenetic mechanisms play prominent roles. These different aspects of germ cell development are seamlessly integrated under optimal conditions and are modified in the different reproductive strategies that are employed by C. elegans under harsh environmental conditions. In this chapter, we set the stage by providing a brief background on the C. elegans system and germ cell development, indicating processes in the cycle of the germline that are covered in each chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanette Pazdernik
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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