Abstract
Stem cell self-renewal can be specified by local signals from the surrounding microenvironment, or niche. However, the relation between the niche and the mechanisms that ensure the correct balance between stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is poorly understood. Here, we show that dividing Drosophila male germline stem cells use intracellular mechanisms involving centrosome function and cortically localized Adenomatous Polyposis Coli tumor suppressor protein to orient mitotic spindles perpendicular to the niche, ensuring a reliably asymmetric outcome in which one daughter cell remains in the niche and self-renews stem cell identity, whereas the other, displaced away, initiates differentiation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Arabidopsis Proteins*
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Cadherins / metabolism
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Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Cell Count
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Division*
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Cell Polarity
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Centrosome / physiology*
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Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila / cytology*
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Drosophila / genetics
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Drosophila / physiology
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
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Germ Cells / cytology
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Germ Cells / physiology*
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / physiology
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Male
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Mutation
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Spindle Apparatus / physiology
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Stem Cells / cytology
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Stem Cells / physiology*
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Testis / cytology
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Trans-Activators / metabolism
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Tubulin / metabolism
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*
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beta Catenin
Substances
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APC1 protein, Arabidopsis
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APC2 protein, Drosophila
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Arabidopsis Proteins
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Cadherins
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Calcium-Binding Proteins
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Cytoskeletal Proteins
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Drosophila Proteins
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Trans-Activators
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Tubulin
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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beta Catenin
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cnn protein, Drosophila