Investigating the Role of the Histone Demethylase Lid in the Drosophila Testis Niche

[摘要] Histone modification enzymes are highly expressed in the Drosophila melanogaster male germline stem cell niche. One of these modifiers, little imaginal discs (Lid), is a histone demethylase that specifically targets the H3K4me3 mark. Whereas studies have shown that activation of the Janus kinase signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway in cyst stem cells is crucial for proliferation and maintenance of germline stem cells (GSCs), the function of Stat92E in germ cells is believed to only regulate GSC-hub adhesion through DE-Cadherin. Here we show that Lid functions to regulate Stat92E, the downstream transcription factor for the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, in Drosophila male germ cells. Our results reveal that Lid is a positive regulator of Stat92E in germ cells through a derepression mechanism: Lid represses Ptp61F’s inhibitive effect on Stat92E. Loss of lid in germ cells results in a decrease in the number of GSCs. Our data suggest that activation of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in germ cells is required for proper GSC proliferation and maintenance. Therefore, our study provides new insights into the functions of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway in the Drosophila male GSC niche, specifically in germ cells, as well as helps to better understand the biological role of histone demethylase in vivo.

[发布机构] Johns Hopkins University

[效力级别] lid

[关键词] little imaginal discs;lid;H3K4me3;Drosophila germline stem cell niche;histone demethylase;Biology