Analysis of the C. elegans germline stem cell pool
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2023
Department/School
Biology
Publication Title
Germline Stem Cells
Abstract
The Caenorhabditis elegans germline is an excellent model for studying the genetic and molecular regulation of stem cell self-renewal and progression of cells from a stem cell state to a differentiated state. The germline tissue is organized in an assembly line with the germline stem cell (GSC) pool at one end and differentiated gametes at the other. A simple mesenchymal niche caps the GSC pool and maintains GSCs in an undifferentiated state by signaling through the conserved Notch pathway. Notch signaling activates transcription of the key GSC regulators lst-1 and sygl-1 proteins in a gradient through the GSC pool. LST-1 and SYGL-1 proteins work with PUF RNA regulators in a self-renewal hub to maintain the GSC pool. In this chapter, we present methods for characterizing the C. elegans GSC pool and early stages of germ cell differentiation. The methods include examination of germlines in living and fixed worms, cell cycle analysis, and analysis of markers. We also discuss assays to separate mutant phenotypes that affect the stem cell vs. differentiation decision from those that affect germ cell processes more generally.
Recommended Citation
Crittenden, S. L., Seidel, H. S., & Kimble, J. (2023). Analysis of the C. elegans germline stem cell pool. In M. Buszczak (Ed.), Germline stem cells (pp. 1-36). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3259-8_1
Comments
H. S. Seidel is a faculty member in EMU's Department of Biology.