A somatic proteoglycan controls Notch-directed germ cell fate

Sandeep Gopal, Aqilah Amran, Andre Elton, Leelee Ng, Roger Pocock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Communication between the soma and germline optimizes germ cell fate programs. Notch receptors are key determinants of germ cell fate but how somatic signals direct Notch-dependent germ cell behavior is undefined. Here we demonstrate that SDN-1 (syndecan-1), a somatic transmembrane proteoglycan, controls expression of the GLP-1 (germline proliferation-1) Notch receptor in the Caenorhabditis elegans germline. We find that SDN-1 control of a somatic TRP calcium channel governs calcium-dependent binding of an AP-2 transcription factor (APTF-2) to the glp-1 promoter. Hence, SDN-1 signaling promotes GLP-1 expression and mitotic germ cell fate. Together, these data reveal SDN-1 as a putative communication nexus between the germline and its somatic environment to control germ cell fate decisions.

Original languageEnglish
Article number6708
Number of pages13
JournalNature Communications
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Nov 2021

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