Biology subjects

Bellec, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Bellec, K..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Non-gonadal PIWI protein, Aubergine, regulates regenerative stem cell proliferation and tumourigenesis in the Drosophila adult intestine.

The PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) biosynthesis pathway is best studied for its role suppressing Drosophila germline transposable elements. Piwi, the founding member of the pathway, is involved in adult intestinal stem cell (ISC) homeostasis. Whether a broader role of the PIWI pathway exists in the intestine, remains unknown. Here, we characterise a role of the PIWI family protein Aubergine (Aub) in ISCs. While dispensable for basal ISC self-renewal, upregulation of Aub by damage-induced reactive oxygen species drives regenerative ISC proliferation through increased protein synthesis, including translation of ISC factors Myc and Sox21a. Unexpectedly, such roles of Aub in ISCs appear uncoupled from its piRNA regulatory function. Additionally, Aub and mammalian PIWIL1, mediate tumorigenic intestinal growth in Drosophila and human organoids, respectively. Our results reveal regulated protein translation as a fundamental aspect of regenerative ISC function and discover a central role of Aub in such process.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Bazooka/Par3 cooperates with Sanpodo for the assembly of Notch signaling clusters following asymmetric division of Drosophila sensory organ precursor cells

In multiple cell lineages, Delta-Notch signaling regulates cell fate decisions owing to unidirectional signaling between daughter cells. In Drosophila pupal sensory organ lineage, Notch regulates pIIa/pIIb fate decision at cytokinesis. Notch and Delta that localize apically and basally at the pIIa-pIIb interface, are expressed at low levels and their residence time at the plasma membrane is in the order of the minute. How Delta can effectively interact with Notch to trigger signaling from a large plasma membrane remains poorly understood. Here, we report that the signaling interface possesses a unique apicobasal polarity with Par3/Bazooka localizing in the form of nano-clusters at the apical and basal level. Notch is preferentially targeted to the pIIa-pIIb interface where it co-clusters with Bazooka and the Notch cofactor Sanpodo. Clusters whose assembly relies on Bazooka and Sanpodo activities, are also positive for Neuralized, the E3 ligase required for Delta-activity. We propose that the nano-clusters act as snap buttons at the new pIIa-pIIb interface to allow efficient intra-lineage signaling.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Clathrin adaptor AP-1 and Stratum act in parallel pathways to control Notch activation in Drosophila Sensory Organ Precursor Cells

Drosophila sensory organ precursors divide asymmetrically to generate pIIa/pIIb cells whose identity relies on the differential activation of Notch at cytokinesis. While Notch is present apically and basally relative to the midbody at the pIIa-pIIb interface, only the basal pool of Notch is reported to contribute to Notch activation in the pIIa cell. Correct intra-lineage signalling requires appropriate apico-basal targeting of Notch, its ligand Delta and its trafficking partner Sanpodo. We previously reported that AP-1 and Stratum regulate the intracellular trafficking of Notch and Sanpodo from the trans-Golgi network to the basolateral membrane. Loss of AP-1 or Stratum caused mild Notch gain-of-function phenotypes. Here, we report that the concomitant loss of AP-1 and Stratum results in a much more penetrant Notch gain-of-function phenotype indicating that AP-1 and Strat control two parallel pathways. While unequal partitioning of cell fate determinants and cell polarity were unaffected, Numb-mediated symmetry breaking is impaired. We further observed increased amounts of signaling competent Notch as well as Delta and Sanpodo at the apical pIIa-pIIb interface and the loss of the basal pool of Notch. We propose that AP-1 and Stratum operate in two parallel pathways to ensure the correct apico-basal localization of Notch controlling where receptor activation takes place.

developmental biology↗

bioRxiv2019

The Clathrin adaptor AP-1 and the Rab-stabilizing chaperone Stratum act in two parallel pathways to control the activation of the Notch pathway in Drosophila

Drosophila sensory organ precursors divide asymmetrically to generate pIIa/pIIb cells whose identity relies on the differential activation of Notch during cytokinesis. While Notch is present apically and basally relative to the midbody at the pIIa-pIIb interface, only the basal pool of Notch is reported to contribute to Notch activation in the pIIa cell. Such proper intra-lineage signalling therefore requires appropriate apico-basal targeting of Notch, its ligand Delta and its trafficking partner Sanpodo. We previously reported that AP-1 and Stratum regulate the intracellular trafficking of Notch and Sanpodo from the trans-Golgi network to basolateral membrane. Loss of AP-1 or of Stratum caused mild Notch phenotype. Here, we report that the concomitant loss of AP-1 and Stratum result in the stabilization of the apical pool of Notch, Delta and Spdo, the loss of the basal pool of Notch at the pIIa-pIIb interface, and is associated with activation of Notch in the two SOP daughters. We propose that AP-1 and Stratum control two parallel pathways towards plasma membrane and that Notch intra-lineage signalling could also occur at the apical pIIa-pIIb interface.

developmental biology↗