In adult Drosophila melanogaster, intestinal stem cells (ISCs) of the posterior intestine (hindgut) are confined to an anterior narrow segment, the hindgut proliferation zone (HPZ). Within the HPZ, self renewal of ISCs, as well as subsequent proliferation and differentiation of ISC descendants, are controlled by locally emanating Wingless (Wg, a Drosophila Wnt homologue) and Hh signals.
- Shigeo Takashima
- Marianna Mkrtchyan
- Volker Hartenstein