Autocrine platelet-derived growth factor-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-related (Pvr) pathway activity controls intestinal stem cell proliferation in the adult Drosophila midgut.

ABSTRACT: A dynamic pool of undifferentiated somatic stem cells proliferate and differentiate to replace dead or dying mature cell types and maintain the integrity and function of adult tissues. Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) in the Drosophila posterior midgut are a well established model to study the complex genetic circuitry that governs stem cell homeostasis. Exposure of the intestinal epithelium to environmental toxins results in the expression of cytokines and growth factors that drive the rapid proliferation and differentiation of ISCs. In the absence of stress signals, ISC homeostasis is maintained through intrinsic pathways. In this study, we uncovered the PDGF- and VEGF-receptor related (Pvr) pathway as an essential regulator of ISC homeostasis under unstressed conditions in the posterior mid

SUBMITTER: Bond D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3431626 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature