Cell-cycle quiescence maintains Caenorhabditis elegans germline stem cells independent of GLP-1/Notch

eLife

Judith Kimble¹  Hannah S Seidel² 

[1] The Ellison Medical Foundation Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation, The Lawrence Ellison Foundation, Mount Airy, United States;Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, United States;

关键词: GLP-1/Notch;    germline stem cell;    quiescence;    cell cycle;   

DOI  :  10.7554/eLife.10832

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Many types of adult stem cells exist in a state of cell-cycle quiescence, yet it has remained unclear whether quiescence plays a role in maintaining the stem cell fate. Here we establish the adult germline of Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for facultative stem cell quiescence. We find that mitotically dividing germ cells—including germline stem cells—become quiescent in the absence of food. This quiescence is characterized by a slowing of S phase, a block to M-phase entry, and the ability to re-enter M phase rapidly in response to re-feeding. Further, we demonstrate that cell-cycle quiescence alters the genetic requirements for stem cell maintenance: The signaling pathway required for stem cell maintenance under fed conditions—GLP-1/Notch signaling—becomes dispensable under conditions of quiescence. Thus, cell-cycle quiescence can itself maintain stem cells, independent of the signaling pathway otherwise essential for such maintenance.

【 授权许可】

Unknown