Communication between the stem cell niche and an adjacent differentiation niche through miRNA and EGFR signaling orchestrates exit from the stem cell state in the Drosophila ovary.

ABSTRACT: The signaling environment, or niche, often governs the initial difference in behavior of an adult stem cell and a derivative that initiates a path towards differentiation. The transition between an instructive stem cell niche and differentiation niche must generally have single-cell resolution, suggesting that multiple mechanisms might be necessary to sharpen the transition. Here, we examined the Drosophila ovary and found that Cap cells, which are key constituents of the germline stem cell (GSC) niche, express a conserved microRNA (miR-124). Surprisingly, loss of miR-124 activity in Cap cells leads to a defect in differentiation of GSC derivatives. We present evidence that the direct functional target of miR-124 in Cap cells is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and that failure

SUBMITTER: Chen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10986965 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature