Germline Stem Cell Heterogeneity Supports Homeostasis in Drosophila

Abstract

Adult and embryonic stem cells exhibit fluctuating gene expression; however, the biological significance of stem cell heterogeneity is not well understood. We show that, in Drosophila, female germline stem cells (GSCs) exhibit heterogeneous expression of a GSC differentiation-promoting factor Regena (Rga). The Drosophila homolog of human SON, dsn, is required to maintain GSC heterogeneity by suppressing sustained high levels of Rga. Reducing the expression of Rga in dsn mutants restores GSC heterogeneity and self-renewal. Thus, GSC heterogeneity is linked to GSC homeostasis. Pek and colleagues report that the expression of differentiation factor Rga is heterogeneous between germline stem cells (GSCs) in the Drosophila ovaries. Dsn (human homolog of SON) represses rga transcription and promotes GSC heterogeneity, which is important for GSC homeostasis. © 2018 The Author(s)