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Updated: Nov 14, 2025
Live-cell Imaging of Sensory Organ Precursor Cells in Intact Drosophila Pupae
Published on: May 27, 2011
Drosophila MOV10 regulates the termination of midgut regeneration
Masahiko Takemura1, Nanako Bowden1, Yi-Si Lu1
1Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
Abstract:
The molecular mechanisms by which stem cell proliferation is precisely controlled during the course of regeneration are poorly understood. Namely, how a damaged tissue senses when to terminate the regeneration process, inactivates stem cell mitotic activity, and organizes ECM integrity remain fundamental unanswered questions. The Drosophila midgut intestinal stem cell (ISC) offers an excellent model system to study the molecular basis for stem cell inactivation. Here, we show that a novel gene, CG6967 or dMOV10, is induced at the termination stage of midgut regeneration, and shows an inhibitory effect on ISC proliferation. dMOV10 encodes a putative component of the microRNA (miRNA) gene silencing complex (miRISC). Our data, along with previous studies on the mammalian MOV10, suggest that dMOV10 is not a core member of miRISC, but modulates miRISC activity as an additional component. Further analyses identified direct target mRNAs of dMOV10-containing miRISC, including Daughter against Dpp (Dad), a known inhibitor of BMP/TGF-β signaling. We show that RNAi knockdown of Dad significantly impaired ISC division during regeneration. We also identified six miRNAs that are induced at the termination stage and their potential target transcripts. One of these miRNAs, mir-1, is required for proper termination of ISC division at the end of regeneration. We propose that miRNA-mediated gene regulation contributes to the precise control of Drosophila midgut regeneration.
Insights
Stem cell regeneration requires precise control. This study identifies dMOV10 and microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulators that halt intestinal stem cell proliferation during Drosophila midgut regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Genetics
Background:
- Precise control of stem cell proliferation is crucial for tissue regeneration, but the underlying molecular mechanisms for terminating this process remain unclear.
- The Drosophila midgut intestinal stem cell (ISC) model is used to investigate stem cell inactivation during regeneration.
- Fundamental questions persist regarding how damaged tissues sense the need to stop regeneration and inactivate stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel molecular factors regulating the termination of stem cell proliferation during tissue regeneration.
- To elucidate the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in controlling stem cell inactivation.
- To investigate the function of the novel gene CG6967 (dMOV10) in Drosophila midgut regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Gene expression analysis to identify genes induced at the termination stage of regeneration.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to assess the function of target genes and miRNAs.
- Analysis of miRNA-mediated gene silencing pathways.
- Identification of direct mRNA targets of dMOV10-containing miRISC.
Main Results:
- A novel gene, dMOV10, is induced during midgut regeneration termination and inhibits ISC proliferation.
- dMOV10 modulates the microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) activity.
- Daughter against Dpp (Dad), a BMP/TGF-β signaling inhibitor, was identified as a direct target of dMOV10-containing miRISC and is essential for ISC division.
- Six miRNAs, including mir-1, were identified as being induced at the termination stage and are required for proper termination of ISC division.
Conclusions:
- miRNA-mediated gene regulation plays a critical role in the precise control of Drosophila midgut regeneration.
- dMOV10 and specific miRNAs contribute to the inactivation of stem cell proliferation, ensuring the termination of the regenerative process.
- This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing stem cell quiescence after tissue repair.
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