Post-transcriptional suppression of the pioneer factor Zelda protects the adult Drosophila testis from activation of the ovary program.

ABSTRACT: Maintenance of somatic sex identity is essential for adult tissue function. In the Drosophila testis, adult somatic stem cells known as cyst stem cells (CySCs) require the transcription factor Chinmo to preserve male identity. Loss of Chinmo leads to reprogramming of CySCs into their ovarian counterparts through induction of the female-specific RNA-binding protein TransformerF (TraF), though the underlying mechanism has remained unclear. Here, we identify the pioneer transcription factor Zelda (Zld) as a critical mediator of this sex reversal. In wild-type CySCs, zld mRNA is repressed by microRNAs (miRs), but following Chinmo loss, these miRs are downregulated, allowing zld mRNA to be translated. Zld is necessary for feminization of chinmo-mutant CySCs, and ectopic expression of Zld in wil

SUBMITTER: Harsh S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12714197 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature