The Drosophila gonads: models for stem cell proliferation, self-renewal, and differentiation

Abstract

The male and female gonads of Drosophila melanogaster have developed into powerful model systems for both the study of stem cell behaviours, and for understanding how stem cell misregulation can lead to cancers. Using these systems, one is able to observe and manipulate the resident stem cell populations in vivo with a great deal of licence. The tractability of the testis and ovary also allow researchers to explore a range of cellular mechanisms, such as proliferation and polarity, as well as the influence exerted by the local environment through a host of highly-conserved signalling pathways. Importantly, many of the cellular behaviours and processes studied in the Drosophila testis and ovary are known to be disrupted, or otherwise misregulated, in human tumourigenic cells. Here, we review the mechanisms relating to stem cell behaviour, though we acknowledge there are many other fascinating aspects of gametogenesis, including the invasive behaviour of migratory border cells in the Drosophila ovary that, though relevant to the study of tumourigenesis, will unfortunately not be covered.

Keywords

Drosophila - cancer - testis - ovary - germline - stem cell - niche

Abbreviations

GSC: germline stem cell

GB: gonialblast

CB: cystoblast

SSC: somatic stem cell

SCC: somatic cyst cell

EC: escort cell

HC: hub cell

TFC: terminal filament cell

CC: cap cell

FSC: follicle stem cell

FC: follicle cell

BC: border cell

ASC: adult stem cell

HSC: haematopoietic stem cell

ISC: intestinal stem cell

TA: transit-amplifying

Jak-STAT: Janus kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription

BMP: Bone Morphogenetic Protein

EGF: Epidermal Growth Factor

Hh: Hedgehog

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 09. November 2014

Angenommen: 18. Dezember 2014

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
10. Mai 2021