Developmental gene influences sperm formation, fruit fly model demonstrates
Sunday, February 23, 2014 - 06:31
in Biology & Nature
The basic regulatory mechanisms of stem cell differentiation have been under investigation using the Drosophila melanogaster fruit fly as a model organism. Researchers were able to show how a special developmental gene from the Hox family influences germline stem cells. These cells are responsible for sperm formation. The scientists found that impairment of Hox gene function resulted in prematurely aged sperms.