Gap junctions allow transfer of metabolites between germ cells and somatic cells to promote germ cell growth in the Drosophila ovary.

ABSTRACT: Gap junctions allow the exchange of small molecules between cells. How this function could be used to promote cell growth is not yet fully understood. During Drosophila ovarian follicle development, germ cells, which are surrounded by epithelial somatic cells, undergo massive growth. We found that this growth depends on gap junctions between these cell populations, with a requirement for Innexin4 and Innexin2, in the germ cells and the somatic cells, respectively. Translatomic analyses revealed that somatic cells express enzymes and transporters involved in amino acid metabolism that are absent in germ cells. Among them, we identified a putative amino acid transporter required for germline growth. Its ectopic expression in the germline can partially compensate for its absence or the one of

SUBMITTER: Vachias C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11864552 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature