# Identifying the cellular targets of Chinmo which regulate stem cell identity as well as cellular sex identity

> **NIH NIH F31** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $21,712

## Abstract

Project Summary
Stem cell self-renewal and differentiation are complex processes that require stem cells
to maintain their identity and also respond to changes within their microenvironment, the
stem cell niche. Mutations that affect the genetic composition of the stem cell pool can
drastically change how niche signals are sent and received. This in turn alters the
cellular composition of the stem cell niche and consequently the genetic composition of
the tissue. Such changes include mutations to a cells' sex identity. Although cellular sex
identity was thought to be established during development, recent studies have shown
that this process is actually strictly maintained throughout adulthood. Changes to
cellular sex identity can strongly impact not only the stem cell niche, but also the overall
composition of the tissue leading to aberrant tissue function.
The goal of this proposal is to identify the molecular mechanisms that modulate stem
cell maintenance versus cellular sex identity throughout adulthood. Recently, the
Jak/STAT signaling effector and stem cell regulator chinmo was identified to also
actively maintain the sex identity of somatic stem cells in the adult Drosophila testis,
preventing the feminization of these cells and thus the overall tissue. Overexpressing
the canonical sex determination factor DsxM in somatic stem cells that have lost chinmo
results in a partial rescue of the sex transformation phenotype, suggesting that chinmo
has other targets in addition to DsxM. To determine the downstream targets of chinmo, a
novel technique called targeted DNA Adenine Methyltransferase Identification will be
used to identify genes that contribute to both stem cell identity and cellular sex
maintenance of stem cells in the adult Drosophila testis and ovary.
By uncovering how stem cell fate and cellular sex identity are regulated in adult stem
cell niches, we can better understand the mechanisms necessary to promote normal
tissue homeostasis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9844477
- **Project number:** 5F31GM126752-03
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Miriam S. Akeju
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $21,712
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-12-01 → 2020-01-20

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9844477

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9844477, Identifying the cellular targets of Chinmo which regulate stem cell identity as well as cellular sex identity (5F31GM126752-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9844477. Licensed CC0.

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