Andrejeva, D. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2026

Two populations with different cell dynamics maintain urethral epithelial homeostasis in female and male mice

The urethra is an understudied organ in both humans and animal models. Here we investigate the mouse urethra to gain insights into its tissue architecture, maintenance mechanisms, and epithelial cell dynamics in homeostasis. For this, we generated a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset that includes cells from the entire urethra of both female and male, with detailed regional information. Using lineage tracing and cell proliferation assays, we focused on two potential progenitor cell types, the Keratin 5+ and Keratin 14+ cells, which we found both capable of generating the full thickness of the epithelium, yet with opposite and complementary patterns of self-renewal. Our results further highlight key differences between females and males, as we observed a higher epithelium stratification, a unique pattern of keratins expression and a higher tissue turnover in females compared to males. This work provides valuable insights that can support future tissue engineering efforts aimed at developing urethral grafts for treating urethral disorders.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2019

Genome-wide RNAi screen for context-dependent tumor suppressors identified using in vivo models for neoplasia in Drosophila

Genetic approaches in Drosophila have successfully identified many genes involved in regulation of growth control as well as genetic interactions relevant to the initiation and progression of cancer in vivo. Here, we report on large-scale RNAi-based screens to identify potential tumor suppressor genes that interact with known cancer-drivers: The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and the Hippo pathway transcriptional cofactor Yorkie. These screens were designed to identify genes whose depletion drove tissue expressing EGFR or Yki from a state of benign overgrowth into neoplastic transformation in vivo. We also report on an independent screen aimed to identify genes whose depletion suppressed formation of neoplastic tumors in an existing EGFR-dependent neoplasia model. Many of the positives identified here are known to be functional in growth control pathways. We also find a number of novel connections to Yki and EGFR driven tissue growth, mostly unique to one of the two. Thus, resources provided here would be useful to all researchers who study negative regulators of growth in the context of activated EGFR and/or Yki and positive regulators of growth in the context of activated EGFR.

developmental biology↗