The RNA-binding protein Musashi is required intrinsically to maintain stem cell identity

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0600906103
• Publication Date: 2006-05-23T00:44:54Z
• Authors: Nicole A. Siddall; Eileen A. McLaughlin; Neisha L. Marriner; Gary R. Hime
• Keywords: Stem cell marker

A key goal of regenerative medicine is an understanding the genetic factors that define properties stem cells. However, cell research in mammalian tissue has been hampered by a paucity cell-specific markers. Although increasing evidence suggests members Musashi (Msi) family RNA-binding proteins play important functions progenitor cells, it remains unclear whether there cell-autonomous requirement for Msi because inability to distinguish cells from early-lineage tissues. Here, using Drosophila testis as model system study regulation, we show specific regulating differentiation, leading identification protein required spermatogonial maintenance. We found loss function disrupts balance between germ-line renewal and resulting premature differentiation Moreover, that, although expressed both somatic germ intrinsically maintenance identity. also discovered male meiosis, revealing distinct roles at different stages differentiation. describe complementary expression patterns murine paralogues Msi1 Msi2 during spermatogenesis, which support idea distinct, evolutionarily conserved Msi.