Translational control in germline stem cell development

To build networks of interactions important for stem cell maintenance and self-renewal (Fig. 2), we focus first on two genetic pathways that are distinctly associated with GSC maintenance: a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)–like receptor signaling pathway and the translational repressors Pum and Nos. Both pathways also have essential functions earlier in PGC development. Nos and Pum have early roles in the embryo to specify PGC fate. Both the BMP and Nos–Pum pathways are required during larval stages to prevent PGCs from premature differentiation (Forbes and Lehmann, 1998; Gilboa and Lehmann, 2004; Wang and Lin, 2004). Both pathways also play essential and specific roles in mammalian PGC specification and germline development (Lawson et al., 1999; Tremblay et al., 2001; Tsuda et al., 2003; Miller and Olivas, 2011).

The BMP pathway mediates communication between the niche and GSCs. It is regulated at multiple levels, likely to assure precise calibration of signal reception and response in the germ cells (Fig. 2 A). The BMP ligands, Decapentaplegic (Dpp) and Glass Bottom Boat are secreted by the niche and received in germ cells by the type I and II receptors Thickvein-Saxophone and Punt, respectively (Fig. 2 A, 1 [numbers refer the position of the specific gene in the networks described in Fig. 2]). Mutations either in these ligands or corresponding receptors cause GSC loss (Xie and Spradling, 1998), whereas overexpression of the ligand or constitutive activation of Thickvein leads to the accumulation of single, GSC-like cells. BMP signaling from the niche triggers GSC-restricted phosphorylation of Mothers against Dpp (Mad; pMad) in GSCs (Fig. 2 A, 2; Chen and McKearin, 2003a,b; Song et al., 2004). pMad, with its binding partner Medea (Med), represses the expression of differentiation factors, including Bag of Marbles (Bam; discussed later; Fig. 2 A, 4). The oncoprotein Myc, the small GTPase Rac, and Jun kinase are involved in potentiating Dpp-dependent signaling in GSCs (Fig. 2 A, 3; Neumüller et al., 2008; Rhiner et al., 2009; Lu et al., 2012). The proteoglycan Dally and collagen IV bind to Dpp and restrict ligand diffusion (Wang et al., 2008; Guo and Wang, 2009; Hayashi et al., 2009). This spatial restriction of receptor activation (Fig. 3) specifically at the cap cell/GSC interface directly influences the size of the stem cell compartment.

In addition to BMP signaling from the niche, GSCs are also physically bound to the niche by high levels of the homotypic adhesion molecule E-cadherin and adherens junctions (Song et al., 2002). This physical attachment ensures reliable asymmetric GSC division by favoring the alignment of the mitotic spindle perpendicular to the niche (Fig. 1). This way, the self-renewing daughter remains attached to the niche, and the other daughter, further away from the niche, loses receptor activation and differentiates. Weakening of this alignment during regeneration and ageing can lead to GSC loss and symmetric divisions (Hsu and Drummond-Barbosa, 2009). For long-term maintenance, GSCs adopt a “modified” cell cycle characterized by a short G1 and a lengthened G2 phase. Mutations in Cyclin B or E, as well as overexpression of a stable form or Cyclin A, lead to GSC loss from the niche (Wang and Lin, 2005; Chen et al., 2009; Ables and Drummond-Barbosa, 2013). The unusual expression of Cyclin E during the G2 phase suggests additional, apparently cell cycle–independent, functions of cyclins in stem cell maintenance.

The conserved translational repressors Nos and Pum control germ cell development in animal species from C. elegans to humans (Tsuda et al., 2003; Miller and Olivas, 2011). In pum or nos mutants, GSCs are lost from the niche and differentiate precociously (Forbes and Lehmann, 1998; Gilboa and Lehmann, 2004). Nos and Pum act in GSCs to repress the translation of differentiation genes, such as the recently characterized targets Mei-P26 and Brain tumor (Brat; Fig. 2 A, 5; Neumüller et al., 2008; Harris et al., 2011; Joly et al., 2013). Nos and Pum inhibit translation of the differentiation-promoting genes by recruiting the CCR4–NOT deadenylase complex to target mRNAs (Joly et al., 2013). The CCR4–NOT complex removes poly(A) from mRNAs, causing a shortening of the poly(A) tail, reduction in the efficiency of translational initiation, and eventually mRNA degradation (Kadyrova et al., 2007).

By a similar mechanism, miRNAs inhibit differentiation genes in GSCs. Mutants in the miRNA-processing machinery, including Ago1 (Argonaute-1), Dicer-1, and Loquacious, lose GSCs as a result of precocious differentiation (Fig. 2 A, 6; Förstemann et al., 2005; Jin and Xie, 2007; Park et al., 2007; Yang et al., 2007). Thus, at least two pathways repress the translation of RNAs encoding differentiation factors. Both Pum and miRNAs bind RNAs in a sequence-specific manner, and translation repression is achieved by similar mechanisms, i.e., shortening of the poly(A) tail (Kadyrova et al., 2007; Piao et al., 2010; Joly et al., 2013). Synergy between Pum and miRNA binding sites on the target RNA may enhance repression and create the sharp transition in protein expression of several differentiation factors, such as Mei-P26 and Brat (discussed later; Figs. 3 and 2 A, 5 and 6).

In addition to these specific regulator pathways, several recent observations suggest that the general translation machinery may play an unexpectedly specific role in GSC maintenance. The expression of several proteins involved in ribosome biosynthesis and translation is increased in GSCs compared with differentiating cells, and manipulating these genes in the germline compartment leads to GSC loss. Specifically, Wicked, a component of the U3 small nucleolar RNP complex, which is required for ribosomal RNA (rRNA) maturation, and Under-developed, a member of the RNA polymerase I regulatory complex, which is required for rRNA synthesis, segregate asymmetrically with the GSC during division and are required for GSC proliferation and maintenance (Fig. 2 A, 7 and 8; Fichelson et al., 2009; Zhang et al., 2014). Consistently, GSCs have an enlarged nucleolus, the site of rRNA transcription (Cmarko et al., 2008; Neumüller et al., 2008). Besides the general translation apparatus, other rate-limiting translation factors, such as components of the translational initiation complex eIF4E and eIF4A (Fig. 2 A, 9) and Pelota, a homologue of eukaryotic translation release factor 1 α Dom34 (Fig. 2 A, 10), are required for GSC maintenance (Gingras et al., 1999; Xi et al., 2005; Shen et al., 2009; Sonenberg and Hinnebusch, 2009; Song and Lu, 2011; Guydosh and Green, 2014). It is unclear whether GSCs require higher general levels of translation or whether the ribosome biosynthesis and translation machinery more specifically targets factors involved in GSC maintenance. In support of a more specific function, modulation of rRNA synthesis specifically affects Mad but not Med or histone H2B levels, and eIF4A regulates E-cadherin but not BMP-signaling components in GSCs (Shen et al., 2009; Zhang et al., 2014). Furthermore, germline-specific translation initiation factors and specific isoforms of ribosomal proteins seem to be enriched in PGCs and GSCs when compared with more differentiated cells (Kai et al., 2005; Shigenobu et al., 2006). These germ cell–specific isoforms may impose a more specific and selective regulation on stem cell factors similar to the proposed transcript selectivity of ribosomal proteins for patterning genes during mammalian embryonic development (Kondrashov et al., 2011).

Adjusting translational activity in germ cells could be used as a fulcrum to maintain GSC–cyst homeostasis under changing nutritional conditions. A likely mediator is the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway, which coordinates growth with nutritional status through translational regulation (Laplante and Sabatini, 2012). TOR plays a conserved role in many stem cell systems, including Drosophila GSCs (Fig. 2 A, 11). Down-regulation of TOR signaling by mutating the central kinase TOR results in defects in GSC maintenance (LaFever et al., 2010). However, up-regulation of TOR signaling by mutating its upstream repressors Tsc1 and Tsc2 similarly results in GSC loss (LaFever et al., 2010; Sun et al., 2010). Thus, derivations from “normal” TOR activity levels may cause precocious differentiation of stem cells. Given the striking up-regulation of the protein biogenesis machinery in GSCs, regulation of protein synthesis is a likely target for TOR signaling. Supporting this, mutations in S6K, a regulator of protein synthesis and direct target of TOR, can rescue GSC maintenance defects caused by TOR hyperactivation in Tsc2 mutants (Sun et al., 2010). Another potent TOR target is Myc. Myc’s ability to promote proliferation, cell growth, and self-renewal has been linked to a direct role in ribosome biogenesis in several stem cell systems as well as cancer (van Riggelen et al., 2010). Myc protein is up-regulated in GSCs in which it promotes GSC maintenance by increasing BMP signaling and the competitiveness of GSCs for niche occupancy; GSCs with reduced Myc activity are lost from the niche (Fig. 2 A, 3; Rhiner et al., 2009). Whether Myc and TOR regulate the activity or expression of the specific GSC maintenance factors described in this review remains unclear. Alternatively, Myc and TOR may primarily regulate proliferation, growth, and quality control in GSCs. These later functions are needed in all stem cells and would be more related to the need of GSCs for sustained growth and less with the GSC differentiation switch.

Collectively, present data suggest that repression of differentiation-promoting genes in the stem cell compartment is the primary target of the known GSC self-renewal and maintenance factors, the BMP receptor pathway, and the translational repressors Nos and Pum (Fig. 2 A). Few, if any, factors have been identified that seem to promote stem cell fate itself. One possibility is that mutations in such factors may cause different phenotypes, such as stem cell death or cessation of stem cell development rather than differentiation, and may be more difficult to be recognized as specific for stem cell function.

The first gene identified with a clear role in GSC differentiation was Bam (Fig. 2 B; McKearin and Spradling, 1990). bam mutant ovaries are filled with single, undifferentiated cells, whereas ubiquitous Bam overexpression leads to differentiation of all GSCs into mature eggs (Ohlstein and McKearin, 1997), indicating the important regulatory role of Bam in promoting differentiation. Accordingly, Bam expression is tightly regulated by pMad/Med. As a result, Bam expression is “off” in GSCs, in which Dpp-mediated signaling is high, and “on” in CBs, in which Dpp signaling is attenuated (Figs. 3 and 2 A, 4; Ohlstein and McKearin, 1997; Chen and McKearin, 2003a,b; Song et al., 2004).

Among the known differentiation genes, Bam regulation and function seem to best exemplify a gating mechanism (Fig. 4 A). This term is used to describe regulatory relationships in which an initial repressor gene is only transiently expressed, nevertheless ensuring repression of target genes even after the initial trigger is no longer present (Davidson, 2010). According to this concept, a short pulse of Bam expression in CBs is sufficient to repress the stem cell program and initiate the differentiation program. The original concept of gating has been mostly used to describe transcription factor–mediated regulation of gene expression; however, most known targets of Bam regulation are translational (see below). Similar to transcriptional gating mechanisms, the precise transcriptional regulation of Bam may only be required to initiate but not instruct the differentiation program. This idea is supported by the finding that reduction in general translation can cause single-celled bam germ cell tumors to differentiate and form multicellular cysts. Thus, in this scenario, general translational repression can overcome the need for Bam to instruct differentiation (Xi et al., 2005; Shen et al., 2009; Sun et al., 2010; Joly et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2014). Some experiments, however, also suggest that Bam has additional functions during later stages of cyst division (Hawkins et al., 1996; Lilly et al., 2000). Interestingly, in the original characterization of Bam protein, two intracellular localization patterns were identified by different antibodies, one form that was abundant in the cytoplasm and only present during the initiation of differentiation and another form, associated with the fusome, that persisted during later stages of cyst formation (McKearin and Ohlstein, 1995). It is intriguing to speculate that Bam’s roles in gating GSC differentiation and mediating cyst division could be regulated at the intracellular level through putative, location-specific interaction partners. Indeed, Cyclin A associates with the fusome and is involved in controlling cyst division cycles (Lilly et al., 2000).

Bam lacks homology to other known proteins but acts in complex with at least three RNA-binding proteins, Benign gonial cell neoplasm (Bgcn), Sex lethal (Sxl), and Mei-P26 (Ohlstein et al., 2000; Li et al., 2013). Together, this complex mediates translation repression of GSC maintenance factors. Bgcn has homology with the DExH box family of ATP-dependent helicases, which are involved in repressing translation of RNAs involved in germline differentiation in other species (Gateff et al., 1996; Insco et al., 2012). Sxl, a sex-specific protein involved in RNA splicing and sequence-specific translational regulation, directs female sex determination in the early embryo and GSC differentiation in the adult ovary. Sxl enables GSC differentiation by down-regulating Nos protein levels during Drosophila oogenesis (Chau et al., 2012). Mei-P26 is a member of the TRIM (tripartite motif containing)-NHL (NCL-1, HT2A, and LIN-41) protein family. These proteins share a single RING (really interesting new gene) domain with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and a coiled-coil NHL domain, which can bind RNA sequence specifically (Neumüller et al., 2008; Li et al., 2013; Loedige et al., 2014). Association of Bam with these three proteins confers repression on specific target genes, and the ability of Bam to force differentiation relies on each of these three proteins. Bam together with Bgcn represses E-cadherin translation, thereby relieving the tight interaction between GSCs and the niche (Fig. 2 B, 17), and Bam together with Sxl and Mei-P26 represses nos translation (Fig. 2 B, 12; Jin et al., 2008; Li et al., 2009, 2013). Although the relevance of the Bam complex for differentiation is clear, the exact composition of the complex is less well defined. For example, it remains unclear whether the three RNA-binding proteins form one complex with Bam or form separate complexes with a distinct target specificity. In line with a gating function for Bam through its restricted expression, the other components of the complex are expressed more broadly and not restricted to the CB and immediate progeny (Fig. 3). It would be interesting to test whether any other differentiation factors could attain gating function when expressed in a bam pattern.

Attractive candidates for such a test are the two TRIM-NHL proteins Mei-P26 and Brat. Together, these proteins repress most of the known factors required for GSC maintenance and proliferation, and their dual function in protein degradation and RNA translational repression allows regulation at multiple levels. Mei-P26 counteracts GSC self-renewal at different levels. First, as described above, Mei-P26 together with Sxl, Bam, and Bgcn represses nos RNA translation (Fig. 2 B, 12), thus interfering with Nos–Pum-mediated repression of differentiation genes. This provides translational cross-antagonism between Mei-P26 and Nos because Nos represses Mei-P26 translation (Fig. 4 B); thus, akin to a bistable switch, GSC or CB fates are chosen dependent on the balance of Nos and Mei-P26. Second, Mei-P26 binds to Ago1 and thereby lowers the production of miRNAs, which otherwise would block the translation of genes involved in GSC differentiation (Fig. 2, A [6] and B [13]; Neumüller et al., 2008). Third, in Mei-P26 mutants, the levels of Myc (Fig. 2 B, 14; Neumüller et al., 2008) and eIF4E are increased (Fig. 2 B, 15; Song and Lu, 2011). Removal of one copy of Myc or eIF4E partially rescues the Mei-P26 mutant tumor phenotype (Song and Lu, 2011). Thus, down-regulation of general translational efficiency and Myc repression by Mei-P26 provide yet another path into differentiation (Fig. 4 B).

In addition to Mei-P26, another TRIM-NHL protein, Brat, also regulates the GSC-to-CB transition, possibly in parallel to Bam. A specific role for Brat in translational regulation was first shown in the Drosophila embryo, in which Brat represses translation in complex with Nos and Pum (Sonoda and Wharton, 2001). The relationship between Brat, Nos, and Pum apparently differs in ovaries, in which Brat and Nos are in competition for Pum binding. Brat overexpression in germ cells induces precocious GSC differentiation and loss from the niche, whereas overexpression of a Brat mutant that specifically disrupts its binding to Pum has no effect (Harris et al., 2011). Thus, in ovaries, Brat promotes differentiation by forming a complex with Pum, thereby sequestering Pum away from Nos (Fig. 4 C). This antagonistic relationship between a Nos–Pum complex, which represses differentiation genes in GSCs, and the Brat–Pum complex in CBs, which prevents Pum from binding Nos, provides an additional mechanism to repress Nos activity in the CB (Fig. 4 C). The Brat–Pum complex inhibits translation of Mad and Myc (Fig. 3 B, 16), both of which positively regulate BMP signaling. Reduced BMP signaling leads to up-regulation of the transcription of Bam, which together with the other complex components represses Nos translation. This results in a feedback loop toward differentiation (Fig. 4 B; Harris et al., 2011). Contrary to Bam, Bgcn, Sxl, or Mei-P26 mutants, Brat mutant ovaries do not form extensive germ cell tumors; instead, GSC numbers are increased, but overall differentiation is unaffected (Harris et al., 2011). This may suggest overlapping functions with other proteins in the differentiation network or hint at a more supportive role for Brat in promoting the transition toward differentiation. Together, Brat and Mei-P26 seem to coordinate many of the known aspects needed for GSC differentiation: cessation of BMP signaling to promote Bam expression by Brat, translational repression of the GSC factor Nos by the Bam–Mei-P26 complex, regulation of proliferation, BMP signaling and general translation through repression of Myc by Mei-P26 and Brat, and regulation of the miRNA machinery by Mei-P26 (Fig. 4 B). These findings are particularly intriguing given the fact that the function of the TRIM-NHL protein family in stem cell differentiation is conserved. Brat and its human homologue TRIM3 are required for neural stem cell differentiation, and the mouse homologue TRIM32 represses self-renewal of neuronal precursors by a mechanism similar to that of Mei-P26 in GSCs (Bello et al., 2006; Betschinger et al., 2006; Lee et al., 2006; Schwamborn et al., 2009; Chen et al., 2014).

In this review, we have focused on how specific interactions between self-renewal and differentiation factors promote a switch from a GSC program to an oocyte differentiation program. This decision has to occur reliably during each GSC division. The existence of multiple, interlocked feedback loops as outlined in part in Fig. 4 B begins to explain how this switch can be initiated rapidly and then stably maintained. Many aspects of the molecular interplay between the individual components of the network are far from understood. However, it is evident that mutual translational repression plays a major role in promoting and stably maintaining the decision between self-renewal and differentiation. A preponderance of RNA-mediated regulatory mechanisms rather than transcription-centric cross-regulation is a conserved hallmark of germline development. However, in addition to translation, regulation of protein stability and chromatin modifications has also been shown to influence the GSC–CB decision (Casanueva and Ferguson, 2004; Xi and Xie, 2005; Jiang et al., 2008; Xia et al., 2010, 2012; Wang et al., 2011; Barton et al., 2013; Pan et al., 2014). As differentiating cysts can be reprogrammed in vivo either upon GSC loss or during ageing to regain GSC potential (Kai and Spradling, 2004), these mechanisms may reinforce a commitment to differentiation and guarantee a long-lasting, reliable production of progeny. We expect that there are additional factors that regulate general stem cell function, such as stress response, metabolism, and proliferation. Mutations in such regulators might have more complex phenotypes than simply precocious differentiation or tumor formation, making their identification as stem cell or differentiation factors more challenging. Finally, although some players in this network, such as Bam, are fly specific, most are highly conserved, and many are expressed in other stem cell systems. Thus, similar regulatory logics as described here might also influence the stem cell maintenance versus differentiation decision in mammals.

We apologize to colleagues whose work could not be cited as a result of space constrains. We thank Carlos Sanchez for providing the images used in Figs. 1 and 4. We are thankful to Dr. Lionel Christiaen for fruitful discussions and comments and appreciated critical reading of the manuscript by Drs. Allison Blum, Thomas Hurd, Felipe Teixeira, and Colin Malone.

We acknowledge grant support from the National Institutes of Health grant R37HD41900. M. Slaidina is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow of the Life Sciences Research Foundation, and R. Lehmann is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Illustrations were provided by Neil Smith, www.neilsmithillustration.co.uk.

The authors declare no competing financial interests.