A switch in the mode of Wnt signaling orchestrates the formation of germline stem cell differentiation niche in Drosophila.

ABSTRACT: Germline stem cell (GSC) self-renewal and differentiation into gametes is regulated by both intrinsic factors in the germ line as well as extrinsic factors from the surrounding somatic niche. dWnt4, in the escort cells of the adult somatic niche promotes GSC differentiation using the canonical β-catenin-dependent transcriptional pathway to regulate escort cell survival, adhesion to the germ line and downregulation of self-renewal signaling. Here, we show that in addition to the β-catenin-dependent canonical pathway, dWnt4 also uses downstream components of the Wnt non-canonical pathway to promote escort cell function earlier in development. We find that the downstream non-canonical components, RhoA, Rac1 and cdc42, are expressed at high levels and are active in escort cell precursors of th

SUBMITTER: Upadhyay M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5811049 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature