UW researchers explain how fruit fly stem cells organize DNA from outside the nucleus
University of Washington scientists published findings in the Journal of Cell Biology on October 14 regarding DNA organization in larval fruit fly brain stem cells.
Proteins control centromere positions
Researchers observed that proteins located outside the nucleus work alongside internal proteins to control centromere placement. When specific proteins were removed, machine learning measurements showed that centromere locations changed significantly within the cell.
Gene positioning shifts accordingly
Two specific genes far from the centromeres lost their usual nuclear positions when those centromeres moved. This suggests that proper centromere positioning is important for orienting the rest of the DNA inside the nucleus.
Understanding brain development
Studying this mechanism helps researchers better understand how stem cells are regulated during early development. The imaging of larval fruit fly brains provided the visual data needed to track these changes.
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