Loading...
Regulation of Testis Stem Cell Behavior by the Novel Drosophila Gene Childless gambino
Luffman, Natalie
Luffman, Natalie
Abstract
Stem cells are key players in development and maintenance in an array of tissues, including the reproductive system. Gonadal stem cells are necessary to ensure proper organogenesis, gamete production, and reproduction, bridging a network of pathways to execute complex differentiation and self-renewal processes. We have shown that the novel gene CG11180, also known as childless gambino (chigno), is involved in germline stem cell (GSC) maintenance and differentiation in Drosophila testes (Rinehart et al, 2021 BioRXiv). Chigno RNAi knockdown in somatic cyst stem cells (CySCs) leads to an overproliferation of undifferentiated germ cells. However, the exact role of chigno is unknown. To further elucidate its function, we examined chignoexpression in adult Drosophila reproductive tissues. Additionally, we investigated the impact of somatic chigno RNAi knockdown on testis morphology and assess the effects of chigno knockdown within the germline. We also developed a candidate-based RNAi screen to identify modulators of chigno function based on its connection to the Jak/STAT pathway. To further characterize chigno’s potential function, we used in silicogenomics analysis to analyze its homology with other genes and observe predicted modes of regulation. This data comprehensively establishes chigno’s role in Drosophila testis stem cell maintenance and fertility, providing intriguing new insights for future research directions. With the expression of chigno’s closest mammalian homology, PinX1, in human reproductive tissues, this work has important implications for human fertility and reproductive health beyond Drosophila.
Description
Date
2022-05-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Collections
Embargo
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Citation
Department
Biology