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Age-related changes in Drosophila midgut are associated with PVF2, a PDGF/VEGF-like growth factor.

Authors :
Choi NH
Kim JG
Yang DJ
Kim YS
Yoo MA
Source :
Aging cell [Aging Cell] 2008 Jun; Vol. 7 (3), pp. 318-34. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Feb 13.
Publication Year :
2008

Abstract

Age-associated changes in stem cell populations have been implicated in age-related diseases, including cancer. However, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms that link aging to the modulation of adult stem cell populations. Drosophila midgut is an excellent model system for the study of stem cell renewal and aging. Here we describe an age-related increase in the number and activity of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and progenitor cells in Drosophila midgut. We determined that oxidative stress, induced by paraquat treatment or loss of catalase function, mimicked the changes associated with aging in the midgut. Furthermore, we discovered an age-related increase in the expression of PVF2, a Drosophila homologue of human PDGF/VEGF, which was associated with and required for the age-related changes in midgut ISCs and progenitor cell populations. Taken together, our findings suggest that PDGF/VEGF may play a central role in age-related changes in ISCs and progenitor cell populations, which may contribute to aging and the development of cancer stem cells.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1474-9726
Volume :
7
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Aging cell
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
18284659
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-9726.2008.00380.x