Abstract
Adult stem cells maintain tissue homeostasis by controlling the proper balance of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation. The adult midgut of Drosophila contains multipotent intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that self-renew and produce differentiated progeny. Control of ISC identity and maintenance is poorly understood. Here we find that transcriptional repression of Notch target genes by a Hairless-Suppressor of Hairless complex is required for ISC maintenance, and identify genes of the Enhancer of split complex [E(spl)-C] as the major targets of this repression. In addition, we find that the bHLH transcription factor Daughterless is essential to maintain ISC identity and that bHLH binding sites promote ISC-specific enhancer activity. We propose that Daughterless-dependent bHLH activity is important for the ISC fate and that E(spl)-C factors inhibit this activity to promote differentiation.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Animals, Genetically Modified
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / genetics
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / physiology
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Cell Differentiation / genetics
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Cell Proliferation*
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Drosophila / genetics*
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Drosophila / metabolism
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Drosophila / physiology
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Drosophila Proteins / genetics
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Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
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Drosophila Proteins / physiology
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Enteroendocrine Cells / metabolism
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Enteroendocrine Cells / physiology
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental*
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Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism*
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Intestines / physiology
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Models, Biological
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Repressor Proteins / genetics
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Repressor Proteins / metabolism
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Repressor Proteins / physiology
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Stem Cells / metabolism
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Stem Cells / physiology*
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Transcription Factors / genetics
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Transcription Factors / physiology
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Transcription, Genetic / physiology
Substances
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Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
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Da protein, Drosophila
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Drosophila Proteins
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E(spl)m7-HLH protein, Drosophila
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Repressor Proteins
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Su(H) protein, Drosophila
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Transcription Factors
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H protein, Drosophila