Dedifferentiating spermatogonia outcompete somatic stem cells for niche occupancy in the Drosophila testis.

ABSTRACT: Differentiating cells can dedifferentiate to replace stem cells in aged or damaged tissues, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In the Drosophila testis, a cluster of stromal cells called the hub creates a niche by locally activating Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (Jak-STAT) signaling in adjacent germline and somatic stem cells. Here, we establish a system to study spermatogonial dedifferentiation. Ectopically expressing the differentiation factor bag-of-marbles (Bam) removes germline stem cells from the niche. However, withdrawing ectopic Bam causes interconnected spermatogonia to fragment, move into the niche, exchange positions with resident somatic stem cells, and establish contact with the hub. Concomitantly, actin-based protrusions appear on subs

SUBMITTER: Sheng XR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2750779 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature