The Wnt pathway limits BMP signaling outside of the germline stem cell niche in Drosophila ovaries.

ABSTRACT: The mechanisms that modulate and limit the signaling output of adult stem cell niches remain poorly understood. To gain further insights into how these microenvironments are regulated in vivo, we performed a candidate gene screen designed to identify factors that restrict BMP signal production to the cap cells that comprise the germline stem cell (GSC) niche of Drosophila ovaries. Through these efforts, we found that disruption of Wnt4 and components of the canonical Wnt pathway results in a complex germ cell phenotype marked by an expansion of GSC-like cells, pre-cystoblasts and cystoblasts in young females. This phenotype correlates with an increase of decapentaplegic (dpp) mRNA levels within escort cells and varying levels of BMP responsiveness in the germline. Further genetic experimen

SUBMITTER: Mottier-Pavie VI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5001506 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature