Drosophila GSC

28 important questions on Drosophila GSC

What location is important for Drosophila GSCs?

Niche, that signals to induce asymmetric division and keep stem cell population up

Where are female drosophila GSCs located?

At the tip of the germarium

Three types of stem cells in Dros. Ovarium

1. GSC, becomes egg
2. Escort stem cells: surround the oocyte
3. Follicle stem cells, become follicle cells
  • Higher grades + faster learning
  • Never study anything twice
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Discover Study Smart

What cells create dros GSC niche?

Cap cells

What is Dpp + pathway summary

TGF-ß/BMP variant
Signal that induces GSC fate in the niche
Gets secreted -> binds heterodimer receptor, that autophosphorylates > receptor phosphorylates Smad, that functions as a TF

What does active Smad do?

Represses expression of Bam (bag of marbles), Bam gene has a specific silencer where Smad can bind

What is the Bam mutant phenotype?

No differentiated cytoblasts, so only GSCs in the overia

How does GSC get dpp signal?

From Cap cell, to which they associate

What is the function of Bam?

To start differentiation from GSC to oocyte

What do you know about dpp gradient and what is its effect

It is extremely steep, because as soon as contact between Cap cell and GSC is lost, Smad gets inactive and Bam will activate, resulting in differentiation

By what cell types is Dpp expression regulated

Terminal filament cells, at the terminus of the germarium

How do terminal filament cells regulate Dpp expression by cap cells?

By excretion of Unpaired, a ligand of the JAK/STAT pathway
It dimerises the Domeless receptor, where JAK can bind to phosphorylate STAT. STAT forms a dimer and functions as a transcription factor, increasing Dpp transcription

What is the definition of ectopic expression

Increased expression of your gene of interest, either through much higher expression than in WT variants, or through inducing expression at a different location

What happens in the first stages of oocyte differentiation

4 rounds of incomplete divisions resulting in 16 interconnected cystocytes. One of these will become the oocyte, the others will be nurse cells

How does the connection between nurse cells and the oocytes look

The holes are called ring canals, within these canals there are complexes called fusome plugs

What is transported through the ring canals and how does this transport work

Maternal mRNAs are transported over microtubules via kinesins and dyneins

What happens when all maternal RNA is in the oocyte

Polarity is established through PAR genes

What do the male reproductional organs look like

Testes are shaped like spirals, important cell types are in this case found at the tip of the spiral

Which cell is the niche in males

The Hub cell, which is surrounded by GSCs and CySCs

What is the function of cyst cells (males)

Similar to support cells

What happens at the beginning of male GSC differentiation

Gb (gonialblast) is surrounded by 2 cyst cells, it then divides into 16 interconnected spermatogonia

What factor is secreted by the Hub cells

Unpaired, which is still JAK/STAT ligand. Just like in females, GSC state is promoted by STAT activity. JAK/STAT is also active in the CySCs

What is the difference of JAK/STAT effect between GSCs and CySCs

Zfh-1 is a target, but it is not active in GSCs, only in CySCs. The result is proliferation of CySCs, but not of GSCs
Its effect in GSCs is that it is necessary for E-cadherin molecules, so the GSC can remain bound to the Hub

What factor regulates self-renewal in male GSCs?

Dpp, with pMad as its readout
Expression of Zfh-1 in CySCs leads to Dpp expression by these cells, activating its downstream effectors in the GSC. GSC also gets this signal from the Hub cells

Why is E-cadherin loss problematic

E-cadherin also anchors one of the mitotic spindles, meaning without E-cadherin, orientation of the divisions gets disrupted. The orientation is crucial, since wrong orientation could mean both cells lose contact with the Hub, so there is no self-renewal

How is the gradient of Unpaired in males

Very steep, as soon as contact with Hub is lost, differentiation will start

What is the role of cyst cells around the Gb

Without them, mitosis of the spermatogonia is reduced, so they are crucial in making them enter transit amplifying cell stages

2 versions of restoration of GSC population, how do they work

1. Replacement, one of the daughters will not differentiate, meaning two GSCs form
2. Reversion: differentiated cells go back to stem cells, this can happen. Even Hub cells can revert and become GSCs to re-establish a GSC population

The question on the page originate from the summary of the following study material:

  • A unique study and practice tool
  • Never study anything twice again
  • Get the grades you hope for
  • 100% sure, 100% understanding
Remember faster, study better. Scientifically proven.
Trustpilot Logo