Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generally considered to be deleterious to cells. Despite the fact that, in mammals, haematopoietic stem cells contain low levels of ROS, common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) unexpectedly produce relatively high levels of ROS. Here it is shown that the equivalent class of cells to CMPs in Drosophila display increased levels of ROS in vivo, apparently priming them for differentiation.
- Edward Owusu-Ansah
- Utpal Banerjee
