Regulation of Stem Cell Maintenance and Transit Amplifying Cell Proliferation by TGF-β Signaling in Drosophila Spermatogenesis (original) (raw)
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Cell Stem Cell, 2010
The mechanisms by which germline stem cells (GSCs) in the Drosophila testis undergo asymmetric division to regenerate a stem cell as well as a daughter (gonialblast) that will only undergo a further four mitotic divisions prior to entering premeiotic S phase and differentiating into a cyst of spermatocytes are not fully resolved. Here we demonstrate that the HOW RNA-binding protein is required for maintenance of CycB and therefore mitotic progression in GSCs and gonialblasts as well as determining the timing of the spermatogonial divisions. HOW is normally expressed in a complementary pattern to Bam in the germline and bam mRNA is bound by HOW in vivo. Ectopic expression of the HOW(L) isoform is associated with a delay in accumulation of Bam to the level required for differentiation, resulting in extra mitotic divisions. Spatiotemporal regulation of HOW expression is therefore required to specify the four spermatogonial transit-amplifying divisions. Cell Stem Cell HOW Represses Bam to Regulate Germ Cell Mitoses
Stem cell reports, 2016
The Drosophila testis has been fundamental to understanding how stem cells interact with their endogenous microenvironment, or niche, to control organ growth in vivo. Here, we report the identification of two independent alleles for the highly conserved tumor suppressor gene, Retinoblastoma-family protein (Rbf), in a screen for testis phenotypes in X chromosome third-instar lethal alleles. Rbf mutant alleles exhibit overproliferation of spermatogonial cells, which is phenocopied by the molecularly characterized Rbf(11) null allele. We demonstrate that Rbf promotes cell-cycle exit and differentiation of the somatic and germline stem cells of the testes. Intriguingly, depletion of Rbf specifically in the germline does not disrupt stem cell differentiation, rather Rbf loss of function in the somatic lineage drives overproliferation and differentiation defects in both lineages. Together our observations suggest that Rbf in the somatic lineage controls germline stem cell renewal and diff...
Maintaining the male germline: regulation of spermatogonial stem cells
Journal of Endocrinology, 2010
19 Spermatogonial stem cells are a self-renewing population of adult stem cells capable of 20 producing progeny cells for sperm production throughout the life of the male. Regulation 21 of the spermatogonial stem cell population includes establishment and maintenance of a 22 niche microenvironment in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Signaling from somatic 23 cells within the niche determine the fate of spermatogonial stem cells by either 24 supporting self-renewal or initiating differentiation leading to meiotic entry and production 25 of spermatozoa. Despite the importance of these processes little is known about the 26 biochemical and cellular mechanisms that govern spermatogonial stem cell fate and 27 identity. This review discusses research findings regarding systemic, endocrine and local 28 cues that stimulate somatic niche cells to produce factors that contribute to the 29 homeostasis of spermatogonial stem cells in mammals. In addition to their importance 30 for male fertility, spermatogonial stem cells represent a model for the investigation of 31 adult stem cells because they can be maintained in culture and the presence, 32 proliferation or loss of spermatogonial stem cells in a cell population can be determined 33 with the use of a transplantation assay. Defining the mechanisms that regulate the self-34 renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells will fundamentally improve the 35 understanding of male fertility and provide information about regulation of adult stem 36 cells in other tissues. Transplantation of a mixed population of germ cells that contain SSCs into the testis of a 49 sterile mouse will restore fertility, although the genetics of the offspring will be of the 50 donor (Avarbock et al. 1996).
Identification of various testicular cell populations in pubertal and adult cockerels
Animal Reproduction Science, 2009
Precise identification of the male germinal stem cell population is important for their practical use in programs dedicated to the integration of exogenous genetic material in testicular tissues. In the present study, our aim was to identify germinal cell populations in the testes of pubertal and adult cockerels based on the detection of the nuclear DNA content by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and on the expression of the Dazl and Stra8 genes in singlecell suspensions of testicular tissues. Cells with a tetraploid DNA content (4c) represent a small and equal fraction of the total germinal cell population in both pubertal and adult males. In contrast, the diploid (2c) and haploid (c) subpopulations differ significantly between ages as a consequence of different degrees of sexual maturation. A specific subpopulation of testicular cells, the side-scatter subpopulation of cells, or side population (SP), was identified at the junction between the haploid and diploid cell populations. The percentage of this cell subpopulation differs significantly in pubertal and adult cockerels, accounting for 4.1% and 1.3% of the total cell population, respectively. These four testicular cell populations were also tested for the expression of Dazl and Stra8 genes known to be expressed in premeiotic cells including stem spermatogonia. Both genes were expressed in SP, whereas the expression of either Dazl or Stra8 genes was detected only in the 4c and in the 2c testicular * Corresponding author. Tel.: +420 261 395 234; fax: +420 241 950 503. cell subpopulations, respectively. The correlation between the cell ploidy and Dazl/Stra8 expression was the same at both male ages. We conclude that SP cells might represent a subpopulation of germinal cells enriched in stem spermatogonia, which can be of great importance for transgenesis in chicken.
Genes & Genetic Systems, 2012
Odysseus (OdsH) has been identified as a hybrid male sterility gene between Drosophila mauritiana and D. simulans with accelerated evolutionary rate in both expression and DNA sequence. Loss of a testis-specific expression of OdsH causes male fertility defect in D. melanogaster. Yet, the underlying mechanisms at the cellular level are unknown. In an attempt to identify the possible mechanisms and functional roles of OdsH in spermatogenesis, the cell numbers at different developmental stages during spermatogenesis between the OdsH null mutant and wild-type flies were compared. The results showed that the early developing germ cells, including spermatogonia and spermatocytes, were reduced in the OdsH mutant males. In addition, the number of germline stem cells in aged males was also reduced, presumably due to the disruption of germline stem cell maintenance, which resulted in more severe fertility defect. These results suggest that the function of the enhancement of sperm production by OdsH acted across males of all ages.
In vitro culture of testicular germ cells: Regulatory factors and limitations
Growth Factors, 2007
Spermatogenesis is regulated mainly by endocrine factors and also by testicular paracrine/autocrine growth factors. These factors are produced by Sertoli cells, germ cells, peritubular cells and interstitial cells, mainly Leydig cells and macrophages. The interactions and the ratio between Sertoli and germ cells in the seminiferous tubules ensure successful spermatogenesis. In order to culture spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in vitro, researchers tried to overcome some of the obstacles-such as the low number of stem cells in the testis, absence of specific markers to identify SSCs-in addition to difficulties in keeping the SSCs alive in culture. Recently, some growth factors important for the proliferation and differentiation of SSCs were identified, such as glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), stem cell factor (SCF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF); also, markers for SSCs at different stages were reported. Therefore, some groups succeeded in culturing SSCs (under limitations), or more differentiated cells and even were able to produce in vitro germ cells from embryonic stem cells.
Developmental Biology, 2003
Spermatogenesis in Drosophila is maintained by germ-line stem cells. These cells undergo self-renewing divisions and also generate daughter gonial cells, whose function is to amplify the germ cell pool. Gonial cells subsequently differentiate into spermatocytes that undergo meiosis and generate haploid gametes. To elucidate the circuitry that controls progression through spermatogenic stem cell lineages, we are identifying mutations that lead to either excess germ cells or germ cell loss. From a collection of male sterile mutants, we identified P-element-induced hypomorphic alleles of nop60B, a gene encoding a pseudouridine synthase. Although null mutations are lethal, our P element-induced alleles generate viable, but sterile flies, exhibiting severe testicular atrophy. Sterility is reversed by P-element excision, and the atrophy is rescued by a Nop60B transgene, confirming identity of the gene. Using cell-type-specific markers, we find that testicular atrophy is due to severe loss of germ cells, including stem cells, but much milder effects on the somatic cells, which are themselves maintained by a stem cell lineage. We show that Nop60B activity is required intrinsically for the maintenance of germ-line stem cells. The relationship of these phenotypes to the human syndrome Dyskeratosis congenita, caused by mutations in a Nop60B homolog, is discussed.