Direct Control of Germline Stem Cell Division and Cyst Growth by Neural Insulin in <i>Drosophila</i>

Abstract

Stem cells reside in specialized niches that provide signals required for their maintenance and division. Tissue-extrinsic signals can also modify stem cell activity, although this is poorly understood. Here, we report that neural-derived Drosophila insulin-like peptides (DILPs) directly regulate germline stem cell division rate, demonstrating that signals mediating the ovarian response to nutritional input can modify stem cell activity in a niche-independent manner. We also reveal a crucial direct role of DILPs in controlling germline cyst growth and vitellogenesis.