The broad objective of this study is to understand the mechanism by which multiple stem cell populations are controlled by the niche to coordinate daughter cell production. Coordination between adult stem cells is essential to maintain tissue homeostasis and prevent tumorous overgrowth. Many structures, including the hair follicle, hematopoietic network and developing ovary require tight control over stem cell proliferation and coordination of daughter cell production from distinct stem cell lineages. In most cases, the molecular mechanisms orchestrating this coordination are largely unknown. Leveraging the power of Drosophila genetics and establishing a system for longitudinal (20+ hours) live imaging of stem cells within an endogenous niche we have begun to reveal the mechanisms controlling stem cell coordination in the testis. Somatic stem cells and germline stem cells (GSCs) of the testis must generate daughters in a precise 2:1 ratio for germ cells to effectively differentiate into sperm. Our live imaging has revealed a modified cytokinesis program in GSCs as the mechanism to coordinate release of one GSC daughter only after it correctly associates with two daughters of the somatic stem cell lineage. This modified cytokinesis program is controlled at two stages?a pause regulated by Jak/STAT signaling from the niche and a trigger for completion of cytokinesis derived from the somatic stem cells. Both control points must be properly executed or stem cell cytokinesis fails, stem cell tumors form and germ cells fail to differentiate. While we have identified the source of both the pause and trigger, the mechanisms by which these signals control GSC cytokinesis remain unknown. In addition, the degree to which soma and germline communicate to ensure that proper ratios of daughter cells are produced is largely unexplored. This study uses molecular genetics and extended live imaging to interrogate the specific mechanisms by which niche signals and somatic stem cells combine to regulate GSC cytokinesis to ensure coordination between stem cells in the testis niche. By establishing a method for live imaging of both stem cell populations, we can now also directly visualize stem cell coordination in real time and interrogate the cross-talk between stem cell lineages that is essential for tissue homeostasis. Successful completion of the proposed work will provide significant insight into stem cell-niche interactions and how these may become disrupted during tumorigenesis, setting the foundation for future work aimed at identifying similar mechanisms at play in other tissues and species.
The goal of this project is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which a specialized niche environment controls and coordinates production of daughter cells from multiple resident stem cell populations. We focus on the fruit fly testis as a model system and through long-term live imaging of the intact niche combined with genetic manipulations we interrogate how the niche modifies an essential cellular process?cytokinesis?in one stem cell lineage to ensure coordinated release of daughters from two distinct stem cell types. Defects in modified cytokinesis and loss of coordination between stem cells leads to tumorigenesis and tissue degeneration, making it essential to understand the cell biology of stem cell coordination to gain insight into how this process becomes misregulated with disease.
