Wnt ligands regulate Tkv expression to constrain Dpp activity in the Drosophila ovarian stem cell niche

J Cell Biol. 2015 May 25;209(4):595-608. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201409142.

Abstract

Stem cell self-renewal versus differentiation is regulated by the niche, which provides localized molecules that favor self-renewal. In the Drosophila melanogaster female germline stem cell (GSC) niche, Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a fly transforming growth factor β molecule and well-established long-range morphogen, acts over one cell diameter to maintain the GSCs. Here, we show that Thickveins (Tkv; a type I receptor of Dpp) is highly expressed in stromal cells next to Dpp-producing cells and functions to remove excess Dpp outside the niche, thereby spatially restricting its activity. Interestingly, Tkv expression in these stromal cells is regulated by multiple Wnt ligands that are produced by the niche. Our data demonstrate a self-restraining mechanism by which the Drosophila ovarian GSC niche acts to define its own boundary.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Drosophila / cytology
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Germ Cells / physiology
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Invertebrate Peptide / metabolism
  • Stem Cell Niche*
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Invertebrate Peptide
  • Wnt Proteins
  • dpp protein, Drosophila
  • tkv protein, Drosophila
  • Egfr protein, Drosophila
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases