The germline stem cells of Drosophila melanogaster partition DNA non-randomly

Eur J Cell Biol. 2009 Jul;88(7):397-408. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2009.03.001. Epub 2009 Apr 22.

Abstract

The Immortal Strand Hypothesis proposes that asymmetrically dividing stem cells cosegregate chromatids to retain ancestral DNA templates. Using both pulse-chase and label retention assays, we show that non-random partitioning of DNA occurs in germline stem cells (GSCs) in the Drosophila ovary as these divide asymmetrically to generate a new GSC and a differentiating cystoblast. This process is disrupted when GSCs are forced to differentiate through the overexpression of Bag of Marbles, a factor that impels the terminal differentiation of cystoblasts. When Decapentaplegic, a ligand which maintains the undifferentiated state of GSCs, is expressed ectopically the non-random partitioning of DNA is similarly disrupted. Our data suggest asymmetric chromatid segregation is coupled to mechanisms specifying cellular differentiation via asymmetric stem cell division.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • DNA / genetics
  • DNA / metabolism*
  • DNA Replication*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / genetics
  • Female
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / physiology*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • DNA