The Drosophila Ovarian and Testis Stem Cell Niches: Similar Somatic Stem Cells and Signals

The stem cell niches at the apex of Drosophila ovaries and testes have been viewed as distinct in two major respects. While both contain germline stem cells, the testis niche also contains “cyst progenitor” stem cells, which divide to produce somatic cells that encase developing germ cells. Moreover...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Developmental cell 2005-10, Vol.9 (4), p.501-510
Main Authors: Decotto, Eva, Spradling, Allan C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Cell Cycle
Cell differentiation, maturation, development, hematopoiesis
Cell Lineage
Cell Movement
Cell physiology
Cell Shape
Drosophila melanogaster - anatomy & histology
Drosophila melanogaster - physiology
Drosophila Proteins - metabolism
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Janus Kinase 1
Male
Molecular and cellular biology
Morphogenesis
Ovary - cytology
Ovary - growth & development
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - metabolism
Signal Transduction - physiology
STAT Transcription Factors - metabolism
Stem Cells - metabolism
Stem Cells - ultrastructure
Testis - cytology
Testis - growth & development
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Summary:The stem cell niches at the apex of Drosophila ovaries and testes have been viewed as distinct in two major respects. While both contain germline stem cells, the testis niche also contains “cyst progenitor” stem cells, which divide to produce somatic cells that encase developing germ cells. Moreover, while both niches utilize BMP signaling, the testis niche requires a key JAK/STAT signal. We now show, by lineage marking, that the ovarian niche also contains a second type of stem cell. These “escort stem cells” morphologically resemble testis cyst progenitor cells and their daughters encase developing cysts before undergoing apoptosis at the time of follicle formation. In addition, we show that JAK/STAT signaling also plays a critical role in ovarian niche function, and acts within escort cells. These observations reveal striking similarities in the stem cell niches of male and female gonads, and suggest that they are largely governed by common mechanisms.
ISSN:1534-5807
1878-1551
DOI:10.1016/j.devcel.2005.08.012