Investigating the role of Maf-S in the Drosophila Ovary

Abstract

Stem cell self-renewal must be tightly regulated to maintain tissue homeostasis. Transcription factors are proteins that regulate many biological processes, including stem cell fate. We used a germarium tumor model to investigate gene expression in undifferentiated germ cells. Using single-cell regulatory network interference and clustering (SCENIC), we identified potential transcription factors that regulate these undifferentiated germ cells. One potential candidate of interest is Maf-S, a transcription factor from the MAF family. In mammals, the transcriptional regulator Maf-S regulates cell fate and gene expression. However, the role of Maf-S in the ovary remains uncharacterized. We find that Maf-S is expressed in late germ cells and somatic cells. We investigated the function of Maf-S in ovarian cells through gain- and loss-of-function analyses, including two new germline-compatible tools that can over-express Maf-S specifically in germ cells. Understanding the function of Maf-S in the ovary will better our understanding of how transcription factors regulate stem cell fate.