Reduced insulin signaling promotes germline stem cell maintenance under P-element hybrid dysgenesis

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dc.contributorKelleher, Erin S.
dc.contributor.authorSilva, Efren
dc.contributor.authorGriffiths, Terion
dc.date.accessioned2021-02-23T16:30:09Z
dc.date.available2021-02-23T16:30:09Z
dc.date.issued2019
dc.description.abstractTransposable elements (TEs) are selfish mobile DNA segments that proliferate throughout the host genome by replicating in gamete nuclei, thus allowing for vertical transmission to progeny. While often suppressed by the host, the consequences of unchecked transposition are severe, inducing deleterious mutations and disrupting the function of gametes. In the case of the P-element, a DNA transposon of Drosophila melanogaster, unregulated transposition results in atrophied ovaries that contain no germline cells. DNA damage from the P-element is hypothesized to impair germline stem cells (GSCs) in Drosophila ovaries, resulting in their permanent loss. We sought to uncover the mechanisms that promote GSC loss in the presence of P-element activity by manipulating the differentiation signals that a GSC receives. In particular, decreasing differentiation signals may suppress atrophy by stabilizing GSCs in the niche. To test this hypothesis we selected 16 genes involved GSC differentiation, and reduced their expression in dysgenic germlines using GAL4-UAS mediated RNAi. Knock-down of two genes, raptor and chico, resulted in germline rescue in dysgenic ovaries. Chico and Raptor are components of the insulin signaling pathway, which promotes the G2/M transition in GSCs. Our observations therefore suggest that G2 arrest may be critical for the recovery of GSCs from P-element induced DNA-damage.
dc.description.departmentBiology and Biochemistry, Department of
dc.description.departmentHonors College
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10657/7561
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.relation.ispartofSummer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
dc.rightsThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).
dc.titleReduced insulin signaling promotes germline stem cell maintenance under P-element hybrid dysgenesis
dc.typePoster

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