ETS transcription factor pointed controls germline survival in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Proper gonad development is a pre-requisite for gametogenesis and reproduction. During female gonad formation in Drosophila, the EGF receptor (EGFR) signalling pathway ensures the correct number of primordial germ cells (PGCs) populate the larval gonad. We study the gene pointed (pnt), which acts downstream of the EGFR receptor and belongs to the ETS transcription factor family, with a previously unknown function in gonadogenesis. We report that pnt is expressed in female larval gonads and later in the adult ovarian germline niche and that it is required to sustain proper gametogenesis. Loss of pnt function in female larval gonads, similar to the EGFR, induced PGC overproliferation. Conversely, we isolated a novel mutant allele gene, termed pntaga, which resulted in agametic gonads and ova

SUBMITTER: Rosales-Nieves AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12407541 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature