Stem cell niche organization in the Drosophila ovary requires the ECM component Perlecan.

ABSTRACT: Stem cells reside in specialized microenvironments or niches that balance stem cell proliferation and differentiation.^1,2 The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an essential component of most niches, because it controls niche homeostasis, provides physical support, and conveys extracellular signals.^3-11 Basement membranes (BMs) are thin ECM sheets that are constituted mainly by Laminins, Perlecan, Collagen IV, and Entactin/Nidogen and surround epithelia and other tissues.¹² Perlecans are secreted proteoglycans that interact with ECM proteins, ligands, receptors, and growth factors such as FGF, PDGF, VEGF, Hedgehog, and Wingless.^13-18 Thus, Perlecans have structural and signaling functions through the binding, storage, or sequeste

SUBMITTER: Diaz-Torres A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8405445 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature