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Updated: Aug 14, 2025

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Published on: October 27, 2020
The Integrator complex desensitizes cellular response to TGF-β/BMP signaling
Sen Liu1, Gyeong Hun Baeg2, Ying Yang1
1Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604, Singapore.
Integrator restricts Decapentaplegic (Dpp)/Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling in the cytoplasm, promoting germline differentiation in Drosophila. This complex also desensitizes cellular responses to Dpp/BMP signaling, suggesting a conserved role in metazoans.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Signaling
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Stem cell maintenance relies on niche signals and intrinsic factors.
- Decapentaplegic (Dpp), a Drosophila bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), acts as a morphogen but is spatially limited to the germline stem cell niche.
- The Integrator complex is known for its role in RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-mediated transcriptional regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the Integrator complex in regulating Dpp/BMP signaling in Drosophila germline stem cells.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which Integrator influences stem cell differentiation.
- To determine if Integrator's function in TGF-β/BMP signaling is conserved across metazoans.
Main Methods:
- Investigated Integrator's role in germline differentiation.
- Analyzed Integrator's interaction with Dpp/BMP signaling components.
- Examined the effect of Integrator on the turnover of the Thickveins (Tkv) receptor.
- Assessed the binding of human Integrator subunits to TGF-β/BMP signaling components.
Main Results:
- Integrator promotes germline differentiation by restricting cytoplasmic Dpp/BMP activity.
- Integrator desensitizes cellular responses to Dpp/BMP signaling in various developmental contexts.
- Integrator forms a complex with the Tkv receptor, promoting Tkv turnover independently of transcriptional activity.
- Human Integrator subunits interact with TGF-β/BMP signaling components and antagonize their activity.
Conclusions:
- Integrator plays a crucial role in restricting Dpp/BMP signaling to promote germline differentiation.
- Integrator acts via a negative feedback loop involving Tkv receptor turnover.
- The function of Integrator in TGF-β/BMP signaling is conserved in humans, indicating a fundamental role in metazoan development.
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