C. elegans Germline Stem Cell Niche and Distal Tip Cell Functions

What role does the Distal Tip Cell (DTC) play in the C. elegans Germline Stem Cell (GSC) niche?

Which proteins are responsible for inhibiting the differentiation of germ cells in C. elegans GSCs?

What is the function of Notch (GLP-1) signaling in C. elegans Germline Stem Cells (GSCs)?

Which proteins play a role in promoting differentiation towards a sperm fate in C. elegans germ cells?

Which proteins act as post-transcriptional silencers in C. elegans germ cells?

What is the role of NICD in C. elegans Germline Stem Cells (GSCs)?

What process occurs in the distal gonad of C. elegans?

Which developmental stage in C. elegans marks the commitment to sperm development?

What is the main function of the spermatheca in C. elegans?

At what developmental stage does oogenesis begin in C. elegans?

What type of movement do spermatozoa in C. elegans exhibit?

Where do germline stem cells (GSCs) in C. elegans primarily generate oocytes?

What is the main function of the Distal Tip Cell in the C. elegans germline stem cell niche?

What is the critical role of stem cell niches in relation to stem cells?

How does the Notch-Delta Signaling contribute to the maintenance of mitosis in germline stem cells?

Which component is NOT part of the C. elegans germline stem cell niche?

Why is promoting mitosis important for germline stem cells?

Which statement accurately describes the C. elegans germline stem cell niche?

Stem cell niches play a critical role in stem cell maintenance and regulation of self-renewal and differentiation
A niche is a complex microenvironment composed of supporting cells, extracellular matrix components, tissue biomechanics, and secreted factors

The C. elegans germline stem cell niche consists of a single cell, the Distal Tip Cell (DTC)
The DTC maintains the pool of germline stem cells
The DTC has two major functions: (1) gonadal arm elongation during development and (2) promoting mitosis and/or inhibiting meiosis of the germ cells

Notch and Delta are both transmembrane proteins
Intimate contact between the DTC and germline stem cells allows for Notch-Delta signaling
Notch-Delta signaling is necessary and sufficient to maintain germline stem cells and the mitotic zone
Notch signaling controls germline stem cell self-renewal and is also involved in stem cell fate in vertebrates

FBF-1 and FBF-2 have redundant functions and inhibit differentiation
FBF proteins are post-transcriptional silencers that maintain expression of FBF-1 and FBF-2
NICD in GSCs maintains expression of FBF-1 and FBF-2

Each of the two gonad arms is a U-shaped tube that generates male and female gametes
Mitosis occurs in the distal gonad, and germ cells enter meiosis as they move proximally
Oogenesis begins at L4 and continues throughout adulthood, while spermatogenesis begins at L2 and ends at L4