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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
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The Organoid Reconstitution Assay (ORA) for the Functional Analysis of Intestinal Stem and Niche Cells
Published on: November 20, 2017
Golgi organization regulates stem cell function in the small intestine
Ilya Belevich1, Lucas Porcile2, Agustin Sola-Carvajal2
1Institute of Biotechnology, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Nature Communications
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Small intestinal stem cells (ISCs) optimize their Golgi apparatus to enhance niche signal reception for tissue renewal. This process, dependent on Akap9, is impaired in aged ISCs, compromising tissue repair.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Tissue Renewal Mechanisms
Background:
- Cell-to-cell signaling between niche and stem cells is crucial for tissue renewal.
- The ability of stem cells to optimize signal reception based on niche organization is largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Lgr5+ small intestinal stem cells (ISCs) adapt their secretory apparatus to niche architecture for improved signal reception.
- To determine the role of Akap9 in ISC niche signal reception and tissue renewal.
Main Methods:
- Microscopy to observe Golgi apparatus morphology and orientation in ISCs.
- Assessing receptor transport efficiency in ISCs with varying Golgi configurations.
- Investigating the role of Akap9 in ISC function and aging.
Main Results:
- ISCs orient their Golgi apparatus laterally towards Paneth cells and divide it into multiple stacks.
- This lateral Golgi configuration enhances the transport efficiency of stem cell receptors.
- Akap9 is required for lateral Golgi orientation and efficient receptor transport, crucial for renewal capacity.
- Reduced Akap9 in aged ISCs leads to insensitivity to niche-dependent Golgi modulation and impaired transport efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Stem cells possess a unique Golgi complex configuration that optimizes niche signal reception and tissue renewal.
- This stem cell-specific mechanism is compromised in the aged epithelium, impacting tissue repair capacity.
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