title: spict, a cyst cell-specific gene, regulates starvation-induced spermatogonial cell death in the Drosophila testis.
abstract: Tissues are maintained in a homeostatic state by balancing the constant loss of old cells with the continued production of new cells. Tissue homeostasis can shift between high and low turnover states to cope with environmental changes such as nutrient availability. Recently, we discovered that the elimination of transit-amplifying cells plays a critical role in maintaining the stem cell population during protein starvation in the Drosophila testis. Here, we identify spict, a gene expressed specifically in differentiating cyst cells, as a regulator of spermatogonial death. Spict is upregulated in cyst cells that phagocytose dying spermatogonia. We propose that phagocytosis and subsequent clearance of dead spermatogonia, which is partly promoted by Spict, contribute to stem cell maintenance during prolonged protein starvation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical School, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.|Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors.forename: Ason C-Y
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.affiliation: Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.|Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.|Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Medical School, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.|Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.|Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.|Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
authors.forename: Yukiko M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Yamashita
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003560:Cysts / Q000235:genetics*; D004330:Drosophila; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013093:Spermatogonia / Q000502:physiology*; D013217:Starvation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C518508:spict protein, Drosophila