Tet governs transcriptional programs required for intestinal stem cell development and homeostasis
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: For two decades, Drosophila intestinal stem cells (ISCs) have served as a premier model for studying somatic stem cell biology. Yet, the intrinsic mechanisms driving divergent developmental trajectories of seemingly homogeneous progenitors, directing some to establish adult ISCs and others to differentiate, remain unclear. Here, we identify Tet as an essential transcriptional regulator of ISC establishment. Developmental Tet depletion causes region-specific ISC loss and compromises adult lifespan, while adult-specific loss drives progressive stem cell exhaustion. Overexpression of Tet leads to ISC expansion in both developing and adult guts. Utilizing a comprehensive single-nucleus transcriptomic atlas spanning gut development, we demonstrate that Tet stabilizes progenitor identity by maintaining epithelial integrity, signaling competence, and fate maintenance. By defining this developmental trajectory, we reveal Tet as a critical factor that drives proper ISC maturation and maintains long-term adult epithelial homeostasis.
ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster
PROVIDER: GSE327108 | GEO | 2026/04/10
REPOSITORIES: GEO
ACCESS DATA