Sequential events during the quiescence to proliferation transition establish patterns of follicle cell differentiation in the Drosophila ovary

Biol Open. 2023 Jan 1;12(1):bio059625. doi: 10.1242/bio.059625. Epub 2023 Jan 12.

Abstract

Stem cells cycle between periods of quiescence and proliferation to promote tissue health. In Drosophila ovaries, quiescence to proliferation transitions of follicle stem cells (FSCs) are exquisitely feeding-dependent. Here, we demonstrate feeding-dependent induction of follicle cell differentiation markers, eyes absent (Eya) and castor (Cas) in FSCs, a patterning process that does not depend on proliferation induction. Instead, FSCs extend micron-scale cytoplasmic projections that dictate Eya-Cas patterning. We identify still life and sickie as necessary and sufficient for FSC projection growth and Eya-Cas induction. Our results suggest that sequential, interdependent events establish long-term differentiation patterns in follicle cell precursors, independently of FSC proliferation induction.

Keywords: Cell fate; Cytoplasmic projections; Follicle formation; Oogenesis; Quiescence to proliferation transition; Self-renewal; Stem cell.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Division
  • Drosophila / metabolism
  • Drosophila Proteins* / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins* / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Female
  • Ovary* / metabolism

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins