Abstract IA11: C. elegans GLP-1/Notch signaling: Direct targets and visualization in stem cells

My laboratory focuses on the in vivo regulation of stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in the germline tissue of the small nematode C. elegans. In this system, Notch signaling from a single-celled mesenchymal niche promotes maintenance of germline stem cells (GSCs)(1). My talk will focus on two broadly important questions. First, what key downstream effectors of Notch signaling are transcriptionally activated in stem cells to maintain their totipotent state? Second, how does Notch-dependent transcriptional activation maintain a pool of stem cells? We have known for some time that an RNA regulatory network acts downstream of Notch signaling to drives the choice between self-renewal and differentiation. We recently identified two Notch-dependent direct target genes, lst-1 and sygl-1, that fully account for the role of GLP-1/Notch signaling in GSC control (2). My talk will report recent efforts to understand lst-1 and sygl-1, to identify additional direct Notch targets in GSCs and to visualize Notch signaling within the stem cell pool.References:(1) Austin and Kimble (1987) Cell 51:589-599(2) Kershner et al. (2014) PNAS,111(10):3739-3744.Citation Format: Erika B. Sorensen, ChangHwan Lee Lee, Elena Sorokin, Amy C. Groth, Judith Kimble. C. elegans GLP-1/Notch signaling: Direct targets and visualization in stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Developmental Biology and Cancer; Nov 30-Dec 3, 2015; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Canc...
Source: Molecular Cancer Research - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Tags: Signaling Pathways: Notch: Oral Presentations - Invited Abstracts Source Type: research